Sunday 22 November 2015 09:43, UK
Yaya Toure says his long-term future is at Manchester City, insisting he wants to help them become the "biggest club in the world".
The Ivory Coast international has seen his City future shrouded in uncertainty in the past, notably when Toure's agent said the midfielder felt "disrespected" by the club, who failed to get him a cake for his 31st birthday.
But in an interview with The Sunday Times, Toure expressed his gratitude for everything the club has done for him and says he feels compelled to help City fulfill their potential.
"Sometimes there's been big chat from my agent, the club and me as well, but what I want is to be here," Toure said.
"What City gave me is too much. What Sheikh Mansour, the owner gave me, I'm very grateful, very thankful.
My target is to be the biggest club in the world.
"People think I am here for something else. No! From the beginning [since joining City from Barcelona in 2010], I wanted to see this club grow.
"Sometimes I play with injuries, but I want to show the boss and the fans I'm there to fight until the end. [Critics] don't understand that. I want to leave my mark. My target is to be the biggest club in the world."
Toure, 32, knows City must lift the Champions League in order to be regarded as a great team and the 32-year-old hopes the Citizens can emulate city rivals United and go on to win Europe's premier club competition.
"We have to win the Champions League, several trophies over many years," he said.
"We have to show Manchester United 'Yeah we're becoming like you'. They've been winning trophies for year and I want City to be like them. That is what I am fighting for and I will never give up."
