Yan Diomande is the story for the Ivory Coast in this World Cup. His tale, however, is just beginning.
The 19-year-old striker will get another chance to impress in the Ivory Coast's upcoming Round of 32 game in Dallas. Philly, though, will be remembered as where he first launched his star in America
After the congratulatory hugs, picture posing and victory lap, Yan Diomande pointed to the sky.
It was unclear whether the Ivory Coast forward was thinking of his departed sister or just his country’s unprecedented accomplishment in the World Cup as he exited the field at Philadelphia Stadium following a 2-0 win over Curaçao on Thursday.
But surely it was a moment of emotion for the 19-year-old wunderkind.
Diomande’s arrival in the international consciousness of soccer took another step after the Ivory Coast advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time, ever. He might not have been Player of the Match – that honor was reserved for teammate Nicolas Pépé, who scored both goals – but Diomande assisted on the first and produced other chances.
He will get at least one more opportunity to represent his homeland when the Ivory Coast faces either France or Norway in the round of 32 on Tuesday in Dallas. Philly, though, will be remembered as where Diomande first launched his star in America, especially for casuals who haven’t followed his meteoric rise over the last two years.
Most hardcore fans have been aware of the former United States high school athlete for some time. He was “rookie of the year” in the German Bundesliga playing for RB Leipzig, where he scored 12 goals and had nine assists last season.
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And he’s been one of the most sought-after signings this offseason with powerhouse European clubs like Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich reportedly in pursuit. Diomande might not be a household name here, but the New York-based Roc Nation is his agency.
Musician Jay-Z, Roc Nation’s founder, attended Ivory Coast’s first fixture of group play at the stadium, normally known as Lincoln Financial Field, in support of his client. Diomande dominated that game – a 1-0 victory over Ecuador on June 14 – from both wings.
On Thursday, five days after Ivory Coast suffered a late, gut-punching 2-1 loss to Germany, the forward played exclusively on the left flank. Diomande needed only minutes to make his presence felt. Gifted a Curaçao turnover, he penetrated along the end line and found Pepe in front for a one-touch goal in the 7th minute.
Diomande continued to be problematic when he dribbled at defenders. His combination of speed, agility, and power forced Curaçao to send multiple defenders his way. And yet, he still created the most chances (3) by the half.
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Pépé’s second goal came in the 64th minute when he received a pass just inside the box and ripped a left-footer past keeper Eloy Room. Three minutes later, Diomande was subbed off, likely to preserve him for next week.
Diomande has been playing with a heavy heart. A year ago, his 15-year-old sister, Roxane, died back home after her drink was spiked. Diomande penned an emotional open letter to his sister in The Players’ Tribune upon his return to the U.S. for the World Cup.
“I don’t feel anything. It’s like I’m not even human,” he wrote. “Since you died, I’m just blank.”
Diomande has, if anything, been the opposite on the pitch. In fact, that’s exactly how Ivory Coast native Lucas Droh described him before the match as he and his older brother, Pacome, tailgated in the lot outside Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“He’s expressive,” Lucas, 32, said. “He plays happy and with an imagination.”
The Drohs, along with cousin Kevin Gnako, traveled from Charleston, S.C. to watch Diomande and Les Éléphants play on Thursday. They are from Abidjan, the largest city in the West African nation, and emigrated to the United States 15 years ago after their mother married.
Diomande is also from Abidjan. He wrote about his impoverished childhood and how he wore plastic sandals to play because his family couldn’t afford cleats. When he was finally gifted proper footwear, he wore them to bed, although he said that he still dons the sandals when he’s home.
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“He’s from the streets,” Lucas said. “He grew up poor, so he’s hungry.”
At 15, Diomande relocated to the U.S. and ended up at DME Sports Academy in Florida. He had a short stint in the United Premier Soccer League and drew attention from MLS clubs, but Europe beckoned.
English Premier League teams like Chelsea, Bournemouth, and Crystal Palace, along with clubs in other countries, tried Diomande out. But it was Leganes in Spain that signed him in 2024. Just before he made his debut against Real Madrid, the former squad of his hero, Cristiano Ronaldo, he found out Roxane had died.
“I never got any answers. I don’t know if I want to know why,” Diomande wrote in the letter to his sister. “Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe it’s just something that happens in our country. Maybe I could have protected you. I don’t know.”
Diomande said that he doesn’t even care about playing for money, and that he wants to use his success “to show the whole world” what Roxane saw in him, and that every time he scores, “I’ll make sure everybody knows your name.”
He has yet to score here, but goals are forthcoming, just like fame and fortune. While Liverpool reportedly balked at Leipzig’s initial price tag, Diomande could ultimately fetch close to €100 million.
In the meantime, he’s focused on the World Cup. Ivory Coast failed to qualify in 2022 and 2018, but it’s trying to recapture the glow of the early to mid 2000s when Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kolo Toure wore the orange in three appearances. As talented as those lineups were, they never got out of the group stage.
The Droh brothers and Gnako touted this version of Les Éléphants, which had knocked off France, 2-1, in a tune-up friendly earlier this month.
“We didn’t lose a friendly coming in,” Pacome said. “The Elephant is going to do some stomping.”
Ivory Coast will likely have to ride Diomande if they are to advance. Pépé (Villareal), forward Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan), and midfielder Ibrahum Sangare (Nottingham Forest) are formidable and among many on the roster who play for European clubs.
But Diomande has been dubbed the second coming for his country.
“That’s the next Drogba. Everybody wants him now,” Pacome Droh said. “But he’ll always be ours.”
In this World Cup, underdogs are stealing the spotlight, the U.S. men are on a roll, and Philadelphia has not only welcomed the world but has given visitors a crash course on just how real the curse of the Rocky Statue can be.
Join Jonathan Tannenwald, the Inquirer's soccer writer, and host Lisa Carlin, analyst for CBS Sports Golazo, as they dissect the matches, the moments, and more as Philly has its moment in soccer's brightest spotlight. Watch our latest episode right here.
Watch previous episodes:
Episode 1: The Wait is Over!
Episode 2: Groups, Goals, and Glory
Episode 3: Electric Action in Philly
