MOHAMED DIOMANDE

A young boy from Africa with a dream.

Childhood

Growing up in a large family in Ivory Coast, Dio's childhood was filled with laughter and football matches. Despite occasionally skipping school to play, Dio remained a dedicated student. He was taught high values by his parents from an early age. Joining a local club at just 10 years old, Dio and his friends proudly created their own jerseys by writing their names or the names of their idols with a pen on their shirts, marking the start of Dio's lifelong love for the game.

Dio's upbringing taught him values like kindness, respect, and hard work. Despite his talent on the field, Dio stayed down-to-earth, treating everyone with fairness. Whether playing with friends or against his brothers, Dio always approached the game with humility and a strong work ethic, aiming to win every time.

Determined to pursue his dreams of playing football professionally, Dio faced numerous challenges along the way. Despite initial setbacks and doubts from others, Dio's perseverance remained unshaken. A turning point came when scouts from Right to Dream Academy spotted Dio's talent at a local scouting event in Ivory Coast, offering him a big chance to join their prestigious program.

Academy Life

At the age of 11, Dio embarked on a new chapter of his life, moving to Ghana to join Right to Dream Academy. Adjusting to life in a new country and learning a new language was challenging, but Dio's passion for football and unwavering work ethic propelled him forward. With dedicated coaches and supportive teammates by his side, Dio flourished both on and off the field, honing his skills and nurturing his dream of playing football professionally. He played in international tournaments and trained for several weeks with Manchester City.

Pro Contract

In 2020, Dio's hard work paid off when he signed his first pro contract with FC Nordsjælland. Back in Ivory Coast, Dio's family celebrated his achievement, proud of the man he had become. A touching moment occurred when Dio's mother watched him play for FC Nordsjælland for the first time, swelling with pride. After four successful years in Denmark, Dio now proudly represents Glasgow Rangers in Europe, showcasing what can be achieved with humility, respect, and determination.

Manager’s words

Philippe Clement, Rangers' current manager, has high hopes for Dio. "For sure he will continue to grow not only in the next weeks, but also in the next months and years here," he said. "Of course, luck with injuries is necessary in one's career, but if he stays injury-free, he’s going to make bigger steps because he has talent, but not only talent, he has the right mentality to work for the team, to be very concentrated, and to be very focused. Those are the things you’re looking for when you go into talks with players. But the most important thing is how ambitious people are to evolve themselves and how they want to absorb information and work around that, and he’s somebody who has a really high focus on those things. It's like a sponge; he will get better and better the more information he gets, and the more experience he gains, the better he will become.

Can he reach the very top? I think so, yes."

Conclusion

Dio's football journey proves that humility, respect, and hard work can take you far. From his modest beginnings in Ivory Coast to European football's grand stage and potentially in the upcoming years at the World Cup and Champions League, Dio's story inspires anyone with a dream.