Man United star Diallo keen to emulate Ivorian legends after CAF nomination

The 24-year-old has been shortlisted among ten players for the prestigious 2026 individual African title following his impressive performances for club and country.

Diallo was a key part of the Elephants side that lost to Egypt in the quarter finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and progressed to Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring twice at the global showpiece.

The Red Devils star revealed his pride of the nomination when speaking to the Red Devils media ahead of Ivory Coast's upcoming back-to-back AFCON 2027 qualifiers against the Gambia.

"I'm so proud," admitted Diallo.

"Honestly, it's something that I wish to win one day in my life because I used to dream when Drogba and Yaya Toure were playing for my country and they won the African Player of the Year.

"So, it is something that I dream to win one day. Today, I have the privilege to be in the list of 10 players that they have [announced]. But I mean the rest of the players are good players, they also had good seasons, so I am proud of myself."

The attacker will compete with Newcastle United's Yoane Wissa, Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo, Bayern Munich's Ismael Saibari, Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi, Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz, Mamelodi Sundowns' Teboho Mokoena and Senegal trio Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye and Sadio Mane.

"Of course, when you want to bring also this joy to the Ivory Coast fans, to tell them Yaya Toure and Drogba won that African Footballer of the Year so the new generation can do that. The new generation can win," added the former Atalanta star.

"We want to give them the belief that this new generation can do more. We have good players in this new generation - [Yan] Diomande at Real Madrid and [Christ Inao] Oulai at Fiorentina. Many players.

"I hope all of these players can, one day, win the best Player of the Year of Africa."

The award ceremony is scheduled for 2 December in Lagos, Nigeria.

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