Former Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele took to Instagram today after rumours emerged that he had decided to hang up his boots. 

“Hi everyone, first of all i would like to thank you for all the nice messages i have received.” he wrote.

“To clear up, i haven't stopped yet. i still have a year on my contract left. But i can already share i will stop my career after this year is finished. thank you” Dembele added.

Dembele began his career with Belgian side Germinal Beerschot and had stints at Fulham and Spurs before moving to Guangzhou City in China.

Dembele, who joined from Fulham for £15m in 2012, played a key role in Tottenham’s resurgence under Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine famously called Dembele a “genius” and that the midfielder was one of the best he had worked with, along with the likes of Maradona and Ronaldinho. 

Pochettino also admitted that if he had got the opportunity to work with the Belgian when he was 18 or 19, the midfielder could have become one of the best players in the world. 

It wasn’t just his former manager who was in awe of his ability, as evidenced by the above video. There was only one name on his teammates’ lips as they were asked who they thought was Spurs’ best.