RB Leipzig sensation Yann Diomande has detailed his battle to reach the top, as he eyes a move to Liverpool in the future.
Sportbild had a big interview with the 19-year-old todayIn which he has given details of his struggle to reach where he is today.
Diomande left his family for football
Yann Diomande has become one of the Bundesliga’s breakout stars since joining Leipzig in a €20m deal last summer. Since then, he has scored 11 goals and eight assists in 29 games in all competitions.
It’s rapid progress for a young player who was playing for the U.S. team DME Academy four years ago. He joined CD Leganés in Spain in January 2025 and then moved to Germany last summer.
He is now being linked with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with Leipzig valuing him at €100m. Diomande also admitted at the beginning of the year He wants to play for Liverpool somedayint.
Diomande could not have been more blunt, saying: “I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a big Liverpool fan. My dad dreams of seeing me play at Anfield!”
However, for now he is being patient. “I still have big goals. Everything comes in its time,” He said.
childhood struggle
Diomande grew up in harsh conditions in Abidjan. His father moved to France, leaving the family in a cramped house with very little money. Football became his escape.
“I left my family and went to a village where I could play,” he explained. “This was my passion and a chance to achieve something.”
However, football was not easy at that time. The pitches were scorched and most of the children were playing wearing sandals. Diomande did the same, until an academy coach gave him his first real shoes. He even slept at the coach’s house because home life was very difficult.
Despite his struggles, his talent blossomed and he was soon offered admission to Yulee High School in Florida. But his family could only afford one ticket, meaning he went alone. That came with its own challenges.
“I was far away from my family, friends and my country. It was very difficult in the beginning. Of course, everything in America was different from Africa.
“Plus, there was a huge time difference, so we weren’t able to talk to each other very often. I arrived there and couldn’t speak a word of English. But I learned the language on my own within a few months using the Duolingo app.”
“In America, people mainly like football and basketball. But when I played on the football team there, more and more spectators came. They wanted to watch me and my friends and have liked football ever since. It made me proud.”
Europe’s stance
In early 2025, Spanish side Leganés offered him a contract. Yann Diomande did not hesitate.
“When you come from Africa, it’s a big opportunity for you and your whole family. You know, as a child, I always told them at home that I would be a professional footballer. I kept my word. It makes me incredibly proud that I can support my family at such a young age.”
Not long ago, he was making his debut against Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe. “I was so excited that I didn’t think about it before or after.
“I couldn’t sleep, I was promoted to the first team just two days before the game, and I never dreamed they would include me in the squad against Real Madrid. When they told me, I was extremely happy and immediately called my mother.”
Liverpool in the future?
Now the focus is on the future. Whether he will remain at RB Leipzig after the summer is uncertain.
A report in late March emphasized that Liverpool ready to make move to sign him As a replacement for Mohamed Salah. Either way Diomande has big ambitions.
“My brother once told me that I should win everything there is to win. And that’s exactly what I’m trying to do: I want to win every title someday. And I know I can do it.”
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🔁 Kounde joins PL clubs every year… a traditionhttps://t.co/UIX8fZLvHX #lfc #mcfc #cfc– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) April 1, 2026
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