Yan Diomandé is set to have an incredibly bright future. At just 19, the attacker has signed for arguably the world’s biggest soccer team in Real Madrid and will begin his debut season for Los Blancos as they face Espanyol on Saturday.
The Spanish giant signed the Ivory Coast international on a seven-year deal this summer, for a reported fee of $144.3 million. That not only makes him the most expensive African player in history, but one of the biggest transfers in all of soccer.
But while many wax lyrical about his rags-to-riches story – one that saw him hone his skills in the United States – his is also a story of heartbreak and a reminder of the traps that lie in wait for young stars who aspire to become professionals.
Diomandé was born in the city of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast. It was a humble childhood but one grounded by the importance of family and friends. A passion for soccer was there from the start and a young Diomandé could be found running on dirt pitches in just a pair of white sandals.
In a letter he recently wrote for The Player’s Tribune, Diomandé says he was nicknamed after Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos because of his ability to strike the ball so hard.
