Real Madrid: Emmanuel Adebayor's thoughts on the arrival of Yan Diomandé

At the start of the week, Yan Diomandé was signed by Real Madrid for €140 million. The Ivorian forward has become the most expensive African player in history during this transfer window. Togolese legend and former Madridista Emmanuel Adebayor shared his take on this historic transfer.

Adebayor spoke exclusively to Afrik-Foot, offering his perspective on the signing and giving his blessing to the man set to succeed him as the next African striker at Real Madrid.

"I'm very happy for him. He's a young brother, though I don't know him personally. I saw him at the AFCON in Morocco, and then again during Ivory Coast's friendlies before the World Cup. He confirmed the talent I'd already glimpsed in him. He's a young Ivorian packed with skill and has incredible dribbling ability. He has everything it takes to make his mark at Real Madrid. He's already experienced the highest level in the Bundesliga, AFCON, the World Cup... and now, it's Real. He'll be surrounded by great players: Jude (Bellingham), Vini, Mbappé. I think he's going to have a blast! He just needs to stay focused and concentrate on his football. He should know that all Africans are behind him and supporting him. I've been at Real, I know this club—if he manages to string together two or three good performances, the fans will be with him. This is the White House!", Adebayor told Afrik-Foot.

The former Madrid striker also played down the significance of the €140 million fee and Diomandé's new status as the most expensive signing in the history of Real Madrid, La Liga, and African football. For Adebayor, Diomandé must not let the price tag interfere with his game.

"Is it the player himself who sets his own price? The answer is no. If the selling club set this price and the buying club paid €140 million, then that's what he's worth. Some would have said he cost too much even if he'd been bought for €10 million. Everyone is entitled to their opinion on transfer fees, but it's up to the player to prove on the pitch that he's worth what was paid to sign him. He shouldn't listen to anyone else—again, he just needs to focus on his football. He's not an accountant or a mathematician—those numbers are for them. The only numbers he should care about are the number of goals and assists at the end of the season. If he keeps scoring, providing assists, and putting in great performances, people will stop talking about the transfer fee. If he scores 40 goals this season, all the talk—'is he worth €140 million, is he not'—will quickly be forgotten.", the legend explained.

Read also: Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé's promises for the 2026-2027 season

Adebayor's advice to Yan Diomandé

The Togolese legend then offered some additional advice to Diomandé as a former Merengue: "I would tell him to take his career seriously. Stay focused on the game, because when you sign for Real, it means your personal goals are within reach. We're talking about the biggest football club in the world. Going from the streets of Abidjan to this legendary club... The dream becomes reality. Now, it's up to him to work hard to win individual trophies, like the African Ballon d'Or, and collective ones, like La Liga and the Champions League. These goals are within reach now, they're right there. Today, he's surrounded by the best players in the world—the best striker in the world, Mbappé, the best midfielder in the world, Bellingham, and the best coach in the world, José (Mourinho). He has everything he needs to progress and become one of the best."

For Adebayor, the presence of José Mourinho—who was the manager during his stint at Real in 2011—is another big opportunity. "José has always trusted African forwards. He knows our value. People talk a lot about Drogba at Chelsea, Eto'o at Inter and Chelsea, myself at Real Madrid, but they forget Benni McCarthy, the South African striker at FC Porto. He was a substitute at Celta Vigo, but Mou turned him into one of the 'best strikers in the world.' Go look up his stats. I lost a Champions League final to him in 2004 (with Monaco, editor's note).", added the former Togolese international.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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