Former AS Saint-Étienne midfielder, Yvan Neyou continues to illustrate on and off the field the human values he already displayed when he wore the green jersey. Now a player for Leganés, in Spain, Neyou recently distinguished himself with a gesture of immense generosity, directly affecting a supporter in difficulty and his family.
The story begins with Pepe, a fervent supporter of Leganés, as revealed by the newspaper AS. Behind this pseudonym, a man broken by life: he has suffered from chronic depression for three years, a period which saw him lose his job, his financial stability and even his family life. Despite these trials, Pepe always found some comfort in his passion for football and his unwavering attachment to Leganés.
However, this passion was compromised by economic difficulties. Unable to renew his subscription to follow his team, Pepe had to resolve to no longer attend matches. Until an unexpected call changes his situation.
Yvan Neyou, touched by the stories of supporters in difficulty, contacted the Federation of Leganés Supporters Clubs. His request was simple: identify a fan who, for financial reasons, could no longer pursue his passion. When the president of La Peña “El Pepinazo”, Juan Pedro, presented Pepe's case, the Cameroonian did not hesitate for a moment. Neyou decided to cover the costs so that Pepe and his seven-year-old daughter could attend a historic match against Real Madrid.
“Seeing my daughter’s face during the match”
For Pepe, it's not just about football. Above all, it is a unique opportunity to share a special moment with your daughter, despite the trials that overwhelm her. “I just want to see my daughter’s face during the match” he confides with palpable emotion.
Her daughter, who had never before attended a Leganés match in the first division, was able to discover the Butarque stadium in an exceptional atmosphere. For Pepe, this day will remain engraved as a ray of sunshine in a life filled with clouds for several years.
Yvan Neyou: a committed player, on and off the field
This gesture is not a first for Yvan Neyou. Known for his big heart, he had already expressed the wish, during the summer, to finance subscriptions for several supporters in difficulty. If this initiative could not come to fruition because of the end of the subscription campaign, Neyou did not give up the idea of helping.
“This kind of gesture shows that football goes beyond sport”stresses Juan Pedro, president of the Peña. “Yvan is not only a talented player, he is also a man who understands what this club means to its supporters.”
By offering Pepe and his daughter an unforgettable day, Yvan Neyou showed that a footballer also knows how to shine off the pitch, in the shadows, by reaching out to anonymous people. A very beautiful story…
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