Yan Diomande, 19, made his Ivory Coast debut in October and scored in his first two matches. Picture: AFP
LONDON:
Two years after leaving the US following a collection of unsuccessful MLS tryouts, Yan Diomande is shining on the World Cup for Ivory Coast — and nonetheless grieving a household tragedy.
Diomande, 19, made his Ivory Coast debut in October and scored in his first two matches.
On Saturday, the RB Leipzig winger faces his adopted dwelling of Germany in Toronto having grown into one of many Elephants’ most harmful attacking threats.
Diomande’s growth has come regardless of having to reside with the dying final yr of his 15-year-old sister, who died after a stranger spiked her drink at a celebration.
In an emotional publish on the Gamers’ Tribune web site on Thursday entitled “Pricey Roxane”, Diomande wrote to her: “The pitch is the one place that I really feel at dwelling anymore. It’s the place the place I really feel calm, and I can communicate to you. I simply want you have been nonetheless right here so I might let you know…. We did it. “
He wonders if he might have protected her, the little sister with whom he used to dream of someday transferring to France.
“I by no means bought any solutions,” Diomande laments. “I don’t know if I need to know why. Possibly it was jealousy. Possibly it’s simply one thing that occurs in our nation. Possibly I might have protected you. I don’t know.”
He provides: “A lot has occurred since I final noticed you… You wouldn’t even imagine it. I don’t know if I imagine it. “
What has occurred is that Diomande’s performances have pressured him onto the radar of Europe’s elite.
Talking with AFP and different media in Might, he mentioned he was not getting forward of himself regardless of being linked with Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain — and discuss of a 100 million euro ($116 million) price ticket.
“I am not the one who likes to be sooner or later so shortly,” Diomande mentioned.
“I am going step-by-step as a result of I’ve a brand new dream on daily basis…
“I need to be probably the greatest. However I need to go slowly, slowly, step-by-step to succeed in what I can do.”
After leaving Africa to attend a sports activities highschool in Florida, Diomande tried out for MLS golf equipment Charlotte FC and Colorado Rapids, however was unable to strike a deal.
“I do not suppose it was due to my expertise. It is due to the discussions — we simply could not discover a great way.”
After transferring to Europe, Diomande mentioned he had trials with European golf equipment together with Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Olympiacos earlier than signing with La Liga outfit Leganes in November 2024.
He moved to Leipzig seven months later.
Whereas soccer’s knowledge explosion means there are fewer and fewer surprises for scouts, the membership recognised his potential instantly.
“We have been actually early. I feel he hadn’t even performed 200 minutes within the league and we have been already there,” sporting director Marcel Schaefer advised AFP.
“It was clear from the primary day on.”
Schaefer mentioned Leipzig’s decision-makers, together with former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp who’s world head of soccer at guardian firm Crimson Bull, wanted little convincing.
“It was a great scenario. In contact with Jurgen Klopp… who noticed the information and the video clips, and everyone was like ‘go, go, go’.”
After scoring 12 objectives and laying on eight assists in his first Bundesliga season, Diomande credit improved self-discipline for his uptick in efficiency.
“In Germany, there is not any life. The life right here is just work.
“It is work, work and work. I realized loads about self-discipline as a result of in Spain, it is just a little bit relaxed.”
Some have urged Diomande’s big-money transfer will happen this summer season, however the participant mentioned his focus is on the World Cup.
Diomande performs alongside Germany left-back David Raum at Leipzig and mentioned he was relishing the possibility to face off in opposition to his skipper.
“We’re teammates and he is my captain, he is man,” he mentioned.
“Typically we communicate, (saying) I’ll kill you, or I’ll do one thing else like this.
“However we’re nonetheless mates so it’ll be good to play in opposition to one another and alter jerseys.”
