Mickaël Poté has opened up about the pivotal decision that defined his international career: choosing to represent Benin instead of Ivory Coast, despite his deep personal ties to the West African giants.
The former striker, who earned 69 caps and scored 10 goals for the Squirrels (now known as the Cheetahs), reflected candidly on what led him to take a path few expected.
Born in Lyon to an Ivorian father and a Beninese mother, Poté grew up deeply immersed in Ivorian culture. Football in the Poté household often revolved around the stars of the Elephants, and his father saw him as a future Didier Drogba.
“When I signed my first professional contract in 2007, I was closer to Ivory Coast than Benin,” he told Kpakpato Sportif. “At 16, I was even approached by the Ivorian national team, but I turned it down. Honestly, at that time, I was all for Ivory Coast. Benin didn’t have much going for it in football back then.”
His leanings toward the Elephants were not just sentimental. At the time, Ivory Coast boasted a golden generation that included the likes of Drogba, Yaya Touré, and Kolo Touré, a side packed with global stars and steep competition.
However, everything changed during his stint in Cannes under the guidance of coach Michel Dussuyer. The French manager, who would go on to lead Benin’s national team, saw something more in the young forward, not just his talent but a connection to his Beninese roots that had yet to be fully explored.
“Michel told me I could give Benin a try and that nothing was final,” Poté said. “I was young and still had the option to switch later. I thought to myself, ‘Why not?’ It felt right.”
The leap of faith materialised in 2008, when Poté, then playing for Clermont, made his debut for Benin. But the decision was not without emotional difficulty, particularly at home.
“I knew my father would be disappointed,” he admitted with a laugh. “He saw me as Drogba, I’m not kidding. But let’s be honest, Ivory Coast had an insane squad at the time.
There was no way I was breaking into that team.”
Ultimately, Poté’s choice proved to be the right one. Over the next decade, he became a cornerstone of the Beninese national team, featuring in two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and helping elevate the side to new competitive heights. His contribution was particularly felt during the 2019 AFCON, when Benin made a surprise run that disrupted some of the continent’s top teams.
Now retired following a journeyman club career that spanned 15 teams across Europe and Asia, Poté remains one of Benin’s most iconic footballers. His story is one of pragmatism, pride, and making the most of the opportunities that presented themselves.
“I may not have worn the Elephants’ jersey, but I helped build something special with Benin,” he said. “And that’s something I’ll always be proud of.”
Poté’s legacy continues to inspire young players in Benin and across the diaspora, a reminder that sometimes, choosing the less obvious path leads to the most lasting impact.
Étant Ivoiro-Béninois, Potey Mickael nous partage son choix concernant sa binationalité. #footballciv pic.twitter.com/CvzgbRaXTt
— Le Kpakpato Sportif (@LKsportif) May 7, 2025
