The Yan Diomande letter to his late sister Roxane has resurfaced on social media as the RB Leipzig winger moves closer to a reported transfer to Real Madrid.
Madrid has agreed personal terms with the 19-year-old Côte d’Ivoire international. However, neither Real Madrid nor Leipzig has officially announced the transfer.
Diomande published the letter through The Players’ Tribune on June 17 before representing Côte d’Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He recalled writing “Ronaldo 7” with a black marker on a counterfeit Manchester United shirt because Cristiano Ronaldo was his childhood idol.
The winger described growing up in a crowded home in Abidjan and watching football quietly after midnight. He also recounted leaving home at nine to train near the Ghana border.
Diomande wrote that Roxane always believed he could become a leading footballer. She died at 15, shortly after he made his Leganés debut against Real Madrid.
The Ivorian said he later used his grief as motivation and dedicated his performances to his sister. “Everything I do on a football pitch is for you,” he wrote.
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Diomande also revealed that he exchanged shirts with Kylian Mbappé after his debut against Madrid. He subsequently joined RB Leipzig and emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s leading young players.
Real Madrid are now expected to complete his transfer for a reported fee exceeding €100 million after Paris Saint-Germain withdrew from negotiations, The Guardian reported.
