Yan Diomande has penned an emotional tribute to his sister, who died tragically at the age of 15, recalling some of his favorite childhood memories from them growing up
Liverpool transfer target Yan Diomande has revealed a touching story about him wearing a Manchester United jersey as a child as part of a heartfelt letter penned to his sister, who died at the age of 15.
Writing for the Players' Tribune, Diomande penned an emotional tribute to his younger sibling, Roxane, in which he recalls their childhood together, and various failed trials at clubs including Bournemouth, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace.
Roxane, he explains, passed away a few weeks into his time with Leganes in Spain, where he impressed before moving to RB Leipzig a year ago. Since then, Diomande has hit new heights in Germany, with Liverpool and PSG interested in signing him.
"Remember when somebody bought me a fake United jersey, and I wrote Ronaldo 7 on the back with the black marker?" Diomande wrote. "We didn’t know rich or poor. We just knew happiness.
"Remember 25 people sleeping in one house back in Abidjan? Mom wanted to watch her soap operas. Everyone else wanted to watch movies.
"Remember how I always used to fake like I was asleep and then go into the TV room after midnight? I’d put the TV on real low. Just like two volume bars. I’d watch football in the dark and dream.
"Remember when the adults saw me playing football in the dirt and nicknamed me 'Roberto Carlos' because of how hard I would shoot? And remember how I was secretly so mad about it, because CR7 was my idol?
"Remember when I went to play so far from home? I was nine years old. Inter Foot Sud Comoé, all the way near the Ghana border. Just a little boy on his own.
"I don’t know if I ever told you this story, but me and the other kids used to go into the village and steal potatoes because we were so hungry. We did a 'bank heist.'
"Two kids distracting the shop owner, and 18 other kids running out with two potatoes. They weren’t even good.
"But they tasted amazing. Hahahah. It’s still my favorite thing to eat. Boiled potatoes with some oil. It reminds me of those times.
"Remember when I got my first real football boots, and I used to sleep with them? Growing up, I always played in those white plastic sandals. Even when I go back home now, I still play in them. It’s our tradition."
