A former Premier League star has now lashed out at his African nation's treatment of him after he "almost gave his life" for them.
Emmanuel Adebayor represented Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Real Madrid, among other teams, in his playing career and is considered to be among the continent's most iconic strikers, but according to the ex-striker, not everyone holds him in such high regard.
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Speaking to Afrik-Foot, the former Togo international, who is currently attending the 2024 UEFA European Championship as a consultant, revealed his disdain at how his country's football federation has actively limited his involvement with the national team.
"There are a lot of things happening in Togo with the selection," he said.
"They don't want me to approach the players, they don't want me to be able to access the locker rooms to talk to the young brothers.
"It's not normal that they do this to me.
"I fought for my country, I almost gave my life for this country. Is this how they reward me?
"We were hit in Benin, bus accident, we were shot at in Angola, in Cabinda.
"You prevent someone who was captain of this team for eight years from giving advice to the younger ones, just because he stopped his career?
"I am the only Togolese footballer who has been able to rub shoulders with the greatest coaches in the world, who has played in the biggest stadiums in the world, and I do not have the right to share my experience with the younger ones.
"I work with the Moroccan football federation while I cannot even work with the federation of my country, it is a shame but [it is] like that."
Adebayor had previously criticised the national team, after the side was held to a 1-1 draw by South Sudan in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier last month.
Following that result, the Sparrowhawks suffered a 1-0 defeat to DR Congo, and they are currently fourth in Group B after managing to accumulate just three points from four matches.
According to the former Arsenal striker, the national side is moving backwards "at great speed".
"It hurts me when I see everything we have done for this country, everything I have endured," Adebayor added.
"I have argued with the prime minister, army generals, colonels, just so that my country's football could move forward. I can't sleep at night because of what we are going through.
"I have done everything so that Togolese football could move forward.
"Currently, it is going backwards at great speed, but since I can't do anything, I am blacklisted, I stay at home with my family."
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