Each quarter, the Stade de Reims training center honors a young player for his performance on the pitch, but also for his behavior off it. This operation, called “Les Petits Princes”, rewards the winner with a photo shoot in an emblematic place in the city of Reims.
Tidiane Diarrassouba, a young 16-year-old winger, took part in the exercise in the sumptuous setting of the Reims Opera.
His beginnings
I started playing football when I was 5, but at first I didn’t like it at all. Before I even went to my first workout, I cried. My mother finally took me home, but my father was made to believe that I had gone there! (laughs) That’s how the adventure began with football.
Join Stade de Reims
My coach at the time told me that Stade de Reims wanted to see me try out. It was the first Club to be interested in me. No need to look any further, it was obvious.
Life at the training center
It’s not easy leaving your family, but my parents often come to see me play on weekends, they live near Paris. Every day I know why I am here. The rhythm is intense:
- 6:30 a.m.: wake up
- 7:15 a.m.: departure for school
- 8 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.: lessons
- 1:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: more lessons
- 4 p.m.: in the locker room, ready for training
- 4:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.: training
- 7 p.m.: meal
- 7:45 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.: studies.
When there are Champions League matches, we reduce our study a little to be able to watch them. We also go to Delaune, when we can, to see the pros play, it makes us want to.
We often play ping-pong and table football. Saturday afternoon, we are free, but we must return by 6:45 p.m. We take the bus or the tram, and we go to town.
The objectives
Play with the U19s, be as regular as possible then join the Pros 2 in training, or even in matches. Landing my first professional contract would be the dream!
Play for the French team.
Honestly, putting on the blue jersey really does something. Each selection is a source of pride and I already have 4!
