Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye has revealed the long and painful journey that led him to the Premier League spotlight, reflecting on years of rejection and unwavering self-belief in an emotional interview published on the club’s official YouTube channel.
Now the Toffees’ top scorer this season with eight goals, the Senegal international opened up about the many obstacles he faced on the road to professional football.
Born in Rouen, France, Ndiaye spent his early years surrounded by a large family — his parents, seven sisters, and a younger brother — but it was during time spent in Senegal that his love for the game first took root.
“My grandfather bought me a ball after seeing me kicking lots of things around the house.
That’s how it all started,” Ndiaye recalled, a smile creeping across his face as he remembered the spark that ignited his career.
That joy would soon be tested. As a teenager chasing his dream in England, Ndiaye encountered rejection after rejection from top clubs.
“I went to a lot of football camps. My first was at Manchester United. Then I had trials at Southampton, Reading, Tottenham, Chelsea, Crystal Palace… People would say to my father: ‘He’ll never become a footballer.’ They would tell me I was too small or that there were already players like me,” he said.
Despite the setbacks, the former Sheffield United and Marseille player refused to give up.
“I was in London and everyone was going to try out at Southampton. After three years of waiting, I was finally called for a trial. I was the oldest. In the end, they told me they wouldn’t take me. I was very emotional, but I always believed I would make it.”
It was at non-league side Hyde United, on loan from Sheffield United, where his flair finally caught attention.
His then-manager, David McGurk, recalled one unforgettable training moment.
“The players had to keep the ball in the air by running towards the halfway line in groups of five. Iliman put the ball on his head and crossed the field like that. We had to change the rules after that. He was too good. He was almost laughing at us!”
Having helped Sheffield United secure promotion to the Premier League, Ndiaye briefly joined Marseille before returning to England with Everton.
Now flourishing under the spotlight at Goodison Park, the 24-year-old continues to prove every doubter wrong — not just with goals, but with the resilience and grace of a player who never stopped believing.
