Yan Diomande’s moving letter to his late sister | OneFootball

Yan Diomandé writes a deeply personal letter to his late sister, tracing life from Abidjan to Europe and vowing to honour her at the World Cup with Côte d’Ivoire.

According to Superdeporte, the RB Leipzig player recalls a crowded home, a fake United shirt with Ronaldo 7 inked on, and midnight football watched on whisper-quiet volume.

At nine he joined Inter Foot Sud Comoé near the Ghana border, so hungry he and team-mates stole potatoes. He slept with his first real boots, while his sister called herself his agent at 10.

At 15 he moved to a US high school. Trials at Bournemouth, Chelsea, Rangers, Olympiacos and Crystal Palace drew praise from Eze and Olise but no deal. MLS B sides passed, his visa lapsed, he went home, then Leganés signed him.

He debuted at 18 against Real Madrid. Weeks later he was told his 15-year-old sister had died after something was put in her drink at a party. He remains numb, tries to trust God and turns pain into work.

At RB Leipzig he fixed timekeeping by arriving 90 minutes early, earning a nickname as the German. He sent his wages home at Leganés, lived at the training ground and avoided cars and houses.

He says Côte d’Ivoire leave for the World Cup tomorrow. Every goal, he adds, will carry his sister’s name, and if he meets Cristiano Ronaldo he will pass on her greeting. His promise is to prove her right or die trying.

Source: Superdeporte