Yan Diomande has emerged as one of the breakout stars of this World Cup. The RB Leipzig winger won man of the match on his tournament debut for Ivory Coast, bringing his direct, fast-paced game to the biggest stage.
That rise followed a brilliant club campaign in Germany, where he recorded 22 goal contributions across all competitions for RB Leipzig. His dribbling and pace have already made him one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.
But behind that footballing story is a heartbreaking one. Just before heading to the World Cup, Diomande opened up about the death of his sister, Roxane.
Yan Diomande opens up on sister’s death before World Cup
Diomande recently became the focus of a moving Players’ Tribune letter addressed to his sister.
He recalled the moment his first football dream seemed over, before Roxane helped him keep believing. Then he explained how her death changed him.
The RB Lepizig winger said: “My dream was over. They sent me back to Africa, and we cried together. You were the one who never stopped believing. A few weeks later, I signed for Leganes and we cried different tears.
“That was back when I used to have emotions. Now, I don’t feel anything. It’s like I’m not even human. Since you died, I’m just blank.”
Roxane died at 15 after allegedly drinking a poisoned drink at a party, a tragedy Diomande has carried into his career.
Yan Diomande is already making Roxane proud
Diomande is now on a path that would surely make his sister proud.
After his breakout Leipzig season, PSG and Liverpool have both been linked with him. Fabrizio Romano reported that the Reds had already sent a US$ 114 million opening proposal, but it was refused.
The World Cup is now another stage for him to honour his sister through the career she always believed he could build.
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