From the cramped rooms of Serekunda to the bright lights of the Premier League, Yankuba Minteh has shared the deeply personal and emotional journey that has brought him to England’s top flight.
In a touching video published by the Premier League, the 20-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion winger reflected on the hardships, sacrifices, and dreams that shaped his rise from humble beginnings in The Gambia.
Just four years ago, Minteh was a teenager playing in the Gambian top division, living with his parents and seven siblings.
The family, struggling with limited means, shared tight living quarters, and Minteh often slept on the floor. Yet even then, his talent stood out.
“From a young age, everyone saw him as a young talent. His current football success comes as no surprise,” said Abdou Touray, Minteh’s childhood coach, in the Premier League’s documentary-style feature titled Homemade.
The young forward’s determination became the cornerstone of his journey.
“I kept believing in myself. I trained three times a day, every day. It was really hard,” Minteh revealed in the video, recalling the countless hours spent honing his craft amid tough conditions.
At just 16, Minteh made the life-changing decision to move to Denmark in pursuit of his dream.
The transition was far from easy. “It was difficult, being so young and without your parents. You’re always with them, and then suddenly you’re alone. But my mentality was always: ‘I have to win.’ That’s all I had in mind,” he said.
His persistence bore fruit in October 2024, when he scored his first goal in the Premier League during a match against Tottenham Hotspur.
That moment marked not only a milestone in his career but a triumph of resilience and family dedication.
“I was so happy, but also very emotional. Our mother was crying. She’s proud of him,” said his brother, Mustapha.
Much of Minteh’s drive stems from his mother, Jassey, who worked tirelessly as a market trader to support the family.
“He told me that he would become a footballer and that my struggles as a market trader would end,” she recalled through tears.
Overcome with emotion as he listened to his mother recount the sacrifices she made, Minteh admitted, “Every time I see my mother cry, I get emotional.
Knowing how she lived, the sacrifices she made, it’s just crazy.”
Minteh’s story, captured in this moving tribute by the Premier League, is one of grit, sacrifice, and hope—offering an inspiring testament to what can be achieved when perseverance meets purpose.
