ASEC Mimosas calls for end to ‘unhealthy debates’ about Malick Yalcouye

ASEC Mimosas has rejected online speculation about Malick Yalcouye’s age after the Brighton midfielder became the target of mocking comments following his goal against Chelsea in the Premier League.

The 20-year-old scored an impressive goal in the second round of the competition, but discussion of his performance was overshadowed by comments about his appearance.

Several users on social media questioned whether Yalcouye is genuinely 20, with some making openly insulting remarks about his physical features. Others suggested that he had committed an age-related fraud, despite there being no evidence presented to support those claims.

One post described him as “someone’s grandfather”, while another argued that there was “no way he is 20”. Further comments included: “If he is 20, then my name is Leo Messi,” and “he has been 20 for 20 years.”

The reaction prompted Yalcouye’s former club, ASEC Mimosas, to respond on X. The Abidjan-based Yellow and Black club criticised what it regarded as an unnecessary and unhealthy debate and shared images from the midfielder’s time with the club.

ASEC Mimosas published photographs and archive material covering Yalcouye’s spell there between 2018 and 2023, pointing to his documented development before his move into English football.

“Let us move away from unnecessary controversy and unhealthy debates. The images, archives and journey of Malick speak more clearly than all the speculation,” the club wrote.

Yalcouye’s goal for Brighton came during the second matchday of the Premier League and should have been the main focus of attention after a notable individual performance. Instead, the online reaction concentrated on whether his appearance matched his officially stated age.

ASEC Mimosas did not address individual social-media users or respond to each comment separately. Its message focused on the player’s existing history with the club, using its records and archive images to reject the speculation.

The midfielder spent five years with ASEC Mimosas from 2018 until 2023. The club’s statement was intended to bring an end to what it called “unnecessary controversy” rather than allow the discussion to continue around claims it described as unhealthy.

The response comes after a weekend in which Yalcouye’s contribution on the pitch had briefly placed him at the centre of attention for positive reasons. His strike against Chelsea marked the latest stage in his development since leaving his former club, although the reaction surrounding his appearance has since dominated online debate.