Published on 6/17/2026
Ivorian Yann Diomandi sent a touching message to his sister Roxanne, who died last year at the age of 15, which was published during the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.
Diomande began his letter by saying, “Dear Roxanne, remember,” as he tried to recall their childhood memories in the capital, Abidjan, when she expected that he would be a global star.
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The message, published along with a photo of them together from childhood, said: “You always believed in my abilities, and that I would be the new version of Cristiano Ronaldo, while everyone laughed at me.”
Diomande, 19 years old, explained that he wrote this letter before participating in the World Cup, because he could not talk about it.
He pointed out, “The stadium is the only place currently where I feel calm and comfortable while talking to you. I wish you were here to tell you that we have succeeded.”
Diomande said that he learned of his sister’s death a few weeks after his first match for the Spanish team Leganes in a match against Real Madrid in March 2025, adding that someone put something in his sister’s drink during a party.
Diomandi moved from Leganes to German club Leipzig, with whom he excelled quickly last season, and now he has begun his participation in the largest football tournament with a victory over Ecuador, and is preparing to face Germany next Saturday, seeking to prove himself and play for his late sister.
Diomande continued his speech to his late sister in the letter, “Everything you said has come true. Your brother will play for the Côte d’Ivoire national team like the stars Drogba, Yaya Toure and Gervinho.”
He explained, “I do not care about the tournament as a match. Rather, I consider it a stage and my opportunity to prove to the world your expectations of me. Every time I score a goal, I will be keen for everyone to know your name so that they will never forget you.”
He continued, “You also told me that I can be better than Cristiano. If I see him there, I will greet him on your behalf, and I swear to you that I will meet your expectations even before I had sneakers, when you were telling everyone that my brother would be the best in the world.”
“I will prove you right or I will die trying to achieve this,” Yann Diomandi concluded his poignant message.
