French League. The ‘rebirth’ of Hamed Traoré: the 25-million-euro kid accused of document forgery.
The Manchester United has a new star. Amad Diallo (Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 2002) confirmed during the derby against Manchester City last Sunday that everything he has been doing is genuine. He put on a ‘show’ at the Etihad, leading the comeback for Amorim’s side. Virtually single-handedly, he conjured the feat for the ‘Red Devils’. At just 22 years old, he has taken the step forward that many were anticipating.
“He has been doing well, achieving great things, and there is still a lot more to come from him. Today he proved once again that he is always ‘alive’. That’s how he earns the penalty, and that’s how he scores the goal. He was brilliant. When he is like this, he is unstoppable. I just want him to keep working; that’s what he has been doing. What he did today is fantastic, but I’m sure he can do it week in and week out. We want this to happen consistently. Now he is getting his opportunities, and he deserves them,” said Bruno Fernandes, United’s captain, after the derby.
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For the Ivory Coast winger, just 22, his tally this season stands at three goals and six assists. He is beginning to show what was expected of him after Manchester United splurged nearly 40 million euros on him from Atalanta back in January 2021, despite him having played only 59 minutes with the first team of the ‘Dea’.
One month after that announcement, on February 10, 2021, Amad Diallo and Hamed Traoré (ex-Sassuolo and now at Auxerre, on loan from Bournemouth) were found guilty of violating the Sports Justice Code. Why? They were accused of document forgery: they were not brothers, as it was claimed.
The Parma Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation that uncovered a scheme through which Ivory Coast citizens residing in Italy pretended to be the player’s parents and applied for family reunification, using fake certifications that, in theory, validated the familial relationship. The two players, who accepted a guilty plea agreement, were fined 48,000 euros.
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In Manchester, Amad Diallo Traoré had a tough start: his first season saw limited minutes as he alternated between the Reserve team and the first team, following a somewhat lackluster loan at Rangers, and eventually exploding onto the scoring scene at Sunderland. But the 2023-24 season has seen him play little until this summer when he made the definitive leap.
“Amad is unique,” analyzed Giovanni Galli, former Milan player, a few years ago in ‘GOAL’. He, who was at Lucchese when he discovered the young winger, pulled strings for him to trial with Atalanta. Using his contacts, Galli arranged a trial for the young player at Atalanta and has since seen him emerge as one of the brightest talents in both Serie A and now the Premier League.
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“He must ensure he does not lose his speed, which is a quality that sets him apart. Ultimately, I believe he has all the qualities to be a candidate for the Ballon d’Or in the next five years,” he stated back in 2020. For now, the young winger from Abidjan is only 22. He is still ‘in time’ to succeed.
“Defender, forward… I can play wherever the coach needs me. I’m happy to fight for the team,” Diallo analyzed himself. He is a player of the kind that is rare these days. One who improvises and surprises in every action. A lightning-fast and tremendously skillful winger. A nightmare for defenders. A chance generator who also sacrifices a lot by stepping up to press.
“Erik Ten Hag and Ruud Van Nistelrooy did a great job with him, and we will continue to do so. He is very important. All players fit into my system. If they want to be in it, and if they have talent, all players can fit into this system,” Amorim said when asked about Diallo at the Etihad.
Erik Ten Hag and Ruud Van Nistelrooy did a great job with him, and we will continue to do so. He is very important.
However, the talented winger has yet to renew his contract, which expires in 2025. But Amorim remains optimistic: “We will find a solution. We want Amad to stay, he wants to stay. I think the feeling is now clear.”
