His Sister Was Murdered, and No One Wanted Him for a Long Time. Now He Shines at the World Cup

The 19-year-old forward debuted for the national team in October 2025, scoring in his first two matches. He currently boasts a record of 12 appearances and three goals. This Saturday, June 20th, the winger might feature in a spicy clash against Germany in Toronto, Canada, as he plays for RB Leipzig and is one of the most dangerous attacking threats for the African squad.

Diomande experienced a profound tragedy last year when he lost his 15-year-old sister, who died after a stranger spiked her drink at a party. "The pitch is the only place where I still feel at home. It's a place where I feel peaceful and can talk to you. I just wish you were still here so I could tell you we made it," her brother wrote on social media.

He had dreamed with her of moving to France. He never found out why someone did that to her. "I don't know if I want to know why. Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe it just happens in our country. Maybe I could have protected you. I don't know. So much has happened since I last saw you... You wouldn't even believe it. I don't know if I even believe it myself," Diomande added.

His performances on the field have attracted the attention of major European clubs. He remains humble, despite being linked with FC Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain – and a rumored price tag of 100 million euros.

"I'm not someone who likes to live in the future. I take it step by step because I have a new dream every day. I want to be one of the best. But I want to go slowly, step by step, to achieve what I want," he revealed to AFP.

After leaving Africa, he attended a sports high school in Florida, and had stints with MLS clubs Charlotte FC and Colorado Rapids, but failed to secure a professional contract.

After moving to Europe, he said he had trials with several European clubs, including FC Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Olympiakos Piraeus, before signing with Leganés in Spain's La Liga in November 2024. Seven months later, he moved to Leipzig.

The club immediately recognized his potential. "We were on him really early. I don't think he had even played 200 minutes in the league, and we were already there. It was clear from day one," said sporting director Marcel Schaefer to AFP.

Decision-makers at Leipzig, including former Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp, who is the global director of football for the parent company Red Bull, needed little convincing.

After scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists in his first Bundesliga season, Diomande attributed his performance surge to improved discipline. "In Germany, there's no life, just work. I've learned a lot about discipline because in Spain, it's a bit more relaxed," the youngster explained.

Some have suggested his big transfer will happen this summer, but the player said he is focused on the World Cup. He is looking forward to the match against Germany, as he plays alongside German international left-back David Raum at Leipzig and said he enjoys the prospect of facing his captain.

"We are teammates, and he is my captain, he's a good guy. Sometimes we say we're going to kill each other, or do something similar. But we're still friends, so it will be fun to play against each other and swap jerseys," Diomande added.