Yan Diomande hits back at Instagram critic after Cote d’Ivoire win

Yan Diomande has responded angrily to an Instagram influencer who criticised his performance despite Cote d’Ivoire making it two wins from two in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Elephants followed their opening 2-0 victory over Ghana on 24 September in Bouake with a late 0-2 win against Somalia at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Tuesday.

Although he did not score, Diomande played a prominent role in the victory. The 19-year-old winger provided a constant attacking threat and created opportunities for his team before being directly involved in the second goal in the 90th minute plus five, when his shot struck the post and was turned back into play.

His display did not prevent further criticism on social media. An influencer claimed Diomande lacked variety in his game and advised him not to take Cote d’Ivoire’s corners.

The comments prompted a strong response from the player, who has been nominated for the Kopa Trophy. In the replies on Instagram, Diomande accused the influencer of seeking publicity and suggested he was motivated by jealousy, referring to him as a “sorcerer”.

Diomande has faced considerable scrutiny since moving to Real Madrid this summer. He arrived as the most expensive player in the club’s history and the most costly African recruit of all time, with much of the criticism coming from the Spanish press after an unconvincing start in Spain.

His substitute appearances and his first start, in the 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on 12 September, were judged to have been below expectations.

The winger began to change perceptions three days later when he provided his first assist in a 3-2 away win at Elche on 15 September. The latest criticism comes as he appears to be establishing himself after that early period of difficulty.

Diomande is a popular figure among Cote d’Ivoire supporters, who affectionately call him “Golden Boy”. He is expected to return to action for the national team on 3 October, when Cote d’Ivoire face Cameroon in a friendly at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.