Yan Diomandethe main hope of the Ivory Coast team in the World Cup, wrote an emotional letter to his sister, Roxane Diomandé. Died at the age of 15 in 2025, Roxane is the focus of a nostalgic message with promises that the 19-year-old player published this Wednesday (17) on the platform The Players Tribune.
The text, entitled “Querida Roxane”, reveals the trajectory of the RB Leipzig midfielder, who left a life of scarcity in Africa to become a professional athlete in the Bundesliga, one of the main leagues in the world. Diomandé emphasizes that this rise was only possible thanks to the encouragement and unconditional support of his sister.
With a strong emotional content, the letter shows how the athlete still deals with grief and the pain of loss. He recalls crucial moments in his life, from his childhood in Côte d’Ivoire to the challenges of establishing himself in European football, always sharing fears, aspirations and glory with Roxane.
Childhood, dreams and sister’s support
Diomandé remembers the simplicity of life in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where 25 people lived in the same house. He describes watching games in secret on TV and dreaming of being like Cristiano Ronaldo, even when he was nicknamed “Roberto Carlos” for his powerful shots.
The letter narrates his move to a training center at the age of nine, the hunger that led him to “steal potatoes” to survive and the joy of his first real football boots. Roxane, three years younger, was already showing her fundamental role. At the age of 10, she acted as a kind of “agent” for her brother, encouraging him and demanding dedication.
Together, they dreamed of moving to France, with Diomandé imagining a life of luxury for her sister, without worries. She was the only one who believed he could be the next big thing.
The difficult journey to professionalism
At age 15, Yan moved to the United States for high school, facing culture shock and homesickness. The journey to becoming a professional was full of obstacles, including numerous failed trials at clubs such as Bournemouth, Chelsea, Rangers and Crystal Palace, as well as MLS teams.
“My visa expired. My dream ended. They sent me back to Africa, and we cried together”reports the player. However, Roxane’s belief remained unshakable. Weeks later, he signed with Leganés in Spain.
Tragedy and emptiness
The most painful point in the letter is the description of Roxane’s death. Just weeks after making his debut for Leganés, aged 18, against Real Madrid – a “surreal dream” – Yan received the devastating news. Roxane died at age 15, after “someone put something in her drink at a party.”
Diomandé describes the shock and emptiness he has felt since then. “It’s like I’m not even human. Since you died, I’ve been completely empty. I don’t think I even shed a tear the day they told me you were gone. I was in shock,” he confesses.
Promise and legacy at the World Cup
With no answers to the tragedy, the player seeks solace in faith and the promise of keeping his sister’s legacy alive. “All I can do is use the pain to work harder and achieve everything we dreamed of. I wrote this because I want you to know that I will make sure you keep living. I will make sure everyone knows your name. The whole world.”
Since Roxane’s death, Diomandé claims to have changed his perspective on wealth, prioritizing football and his sister’s memory above material goods. His dedication is such that, at RB Leipzig, in Germany, he earned the nickname “The German” for his exaggerated punctuality in training.
Now, about to , he sees the competition as a “stage” to honor Roxane. “Every time I score a goal, I will make sure everyone knows your name. I will make sure they don’t forget you. I will prove you right, or I will die trying,” he concludes.
This text was generated by artificial intelligence based on content produced by Itatiaia. All information is investigated and checked by journalists. The final text is also reviewed by the CNN journalism team
