Former Leeds United and Senegal international, El Hadji Diouf is considering running for the presidency of his home country.
The former Liverpool midfielder who is now 37 revealed his intention last year that he wanted to become an MP in Senegal after former fellow footballer George Weah was elected as president of Liberia.
“I am looking after myself and my family. For many years I use to think about football but I have a new career and it is a political career.
“I have taken the decision to do politics because I have people waiting for me to change things in my country and I am ready to do that because I want to be the solider of the youngsters.”
Diouf revealed he has scrapped plans to go into management because a career in politics is more appealing to him.
“My future is defined. In the next two years, I will be joining politics because I know from that point I can change a lot in football.
“I have a lot of passion for politics, and I have people in Senegal who are mentoring me.
“That is the future for me because a lot of Senegalese people are able to listen to me.
“I took high-level coaching courses but decided not to continue since I have better plans on things I want to do.
“But I am always available to advise my team whenever called upon.”
Diouf was crowned as the winner of the Africa Best Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002.