Nicolas Pépé credits countryman Yaya Touré as career inspiration

Nicolas Pépé has revealed that Yaya Touré played a defining role in shaping his football journey, citing the former midfielder as his biggest influence growing up.

The Villarreal CF winger did not hesitate when asked which African players inspired his vision of playing in La Liga, immediately pointing to his compatriot.

“At FC Barcelona, he was one of the players I loved to watch when I turned on the TV,” Pépé recalled, highlighting the admiration he held for Touré during his formative years.

Touré enjoyed a successful spell in Spain, becoming a key figure at Barcelona before making a high-profile move to Manchester City FC, where he further cemented his legacy as one of Africa’s finest midfielders.

Pépé’s tribute underscores the enduring influence of Touré, whose achievements at both club and international level continue to inspire a new generation of Ivorian talent aiming to follow in his footsteps on the European stage.