The ex-Arsenal and Manchester City attacker is full of excitement after seeing a street named after him in his home country
A street in Lome, Togo has been named after the country's football legend Emmanuel Adebayor.
On Saturday, the Istanbul Basaksehir forward took to social media to express his gratitude.
“Growing up with nothing, I soon realised that football would be my way out of poverty. It was my passion, I did it to have fun. But that brought me to places I could never have imagined,” Adebayor wrote on Instagram.
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“One of the things that kept me on the right path was knowing that I was doing it for my country, Togo. I did it for my people. When I won the title of African footballer of the year in 2008, all I could think of was the little Sheyi Emmanuel Adébayor who grew up without any proper roof over his head.
“Then I thought about the songs my countrymen sang for me when I helped Togo to qualify for their first World Cup. I know that the Togolese people have supported me and they are grateful for my services to the nation but this one is too much, I could not believe it when I saw it.
“A street in Togo was named after me "Adebayor Street". It's not something small, History was made. Just as this sign will remain, I promise to keep you in my heart, forever. I'm really honored, thank you.”
Adebayor, a one-time African Footballer of the Year in 2008, has played 87 games for the Sparrowhawks with 32 goals to his credit since he made his international debut in 2000.
Following the country's failure to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Adebayor stated that he is considering his international future but it remains to be seen if the 35-year-old will make himself available for selection ahead of Togo's next game.
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