RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande sets sights on big objectives amidst linking up with idols
One of the breakout stars of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande continues to go from strength to strength. The last few months have seen him work and meet up with idols as he aims to achieve his lofty objectives…
Diomande was on the scoresheet for the eighth time in the Bundesliga this season as he found the back of the net in Leipzig’s 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg on Matchday 22, having also provided four assists for his teammates.
It has been quite an impact from a player who only moved to the Red Bull Arena in the summer and previously had just 10 professional appearances to his name. However, he has adapted seamlessly to German football and clearly enjoys his new surroundings.
Watch: RB Leipzig 2-2 Wolfsburg - highlights
“I love the way football is played in the Bundesliga. It's physical, but I also have some space in the game. That's good, because I need space to play my game,” he told German outlet Bild in a recent interview.
The winger’s journey to the top has not been straightforward. At the age of 14, he departed his home in Ivory Coast to move to the USA, where he honed his footballing talent.
“I had to leave my hometown because I probably wouldn't have been able to become a professional soccer player there,” he explained. “My parents were against it; they said I had to choose – school or soccer. That motivated me even more. I really wanted to show them what I could do”.
Watch: What makes Diomande so good?
Remarkably, his parents have never seen him play live in a stadium, something which Diomande admits he is keen to change in the future. One man who has been able to observe his talents at close quarters is Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, Jürgen Klopp, who knows a thing or two about succeeding amongst the elite.
“It was always my dream to play on one of his teams,” Diomande reveals. “That's not quite possible now. But being so close to him, talking to him, shaking his hand, it's incredible. He's a legend. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a movie.”
His rise to prominence is worthy of the big screen, especially if he can inspire Leipzig to UEFA Champions League qualification this campaign. The draw with Wolfsburg left Ole Werner’s men two points adrift of the top four, but they still have 12 games remaining to erase that gap and fulfil a dream of Diomande’s by playing in the competition.
“I watch every game - I don't miss a single minute. To hear the anthem live on the pitch – that's what motivates me”.
Real Madrid could be one of Leipzig’s potential opponents in the tournament should they qualify, with Los Blancos possessing two of Diomande’s idols in Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé. The Ivorian even shared that he has been in contact with the former in recent weeks.
“He does a lot of good things on the pitch and is totally focused. I met him in person for the first time two weeks ago in Paris. We have a mutual acquaintance, and Viní invited me for two days. We had a good time. He told me to have fun on the pitch, that's the most important thing.”
Beyond the Bundesliga, Diomande is set to star for his country at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. As fate would have it, the Elephants have been drawn with Germany in the group stage, meaning the 19-year-old could well come up against Leipzig teammate David Raum and will look to add to his three goals in nine caps.
“He [Raum] always tells me to play on the left side so I’m not up against him,” Diomande joked. “I’m really looking forward to the tournament. It’s something special for Ivory Coast.”
With so much on the line between now and the 2026/27 campaign, a key figure in Diomande’s life could help him reach even bigger heights – just don’t expect the youngster to listen all of the time.
“I talk to my dad regularly [to help him improve]. He watches the games on TV and tells me what I can do better. As a young person, you don't always want to hear that. So I lie and say, ‘I have to go to a team meeting now.’”
Regardless of his father’s influence, Diomande is on the right path and, yet to turn 20, time is on his side. A big future, both short- and long-term, is surely on the horizon.
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