Germany's Tah Moved by Diomande's Letter to Late Sister

German international footballer Jonathan Tah has expressed deep empathy after reading a poignant letter written by 19-year-old Yan Diomande to his late sister. Diomande, a rising star from Ivory Coast, penned the letter for "The Players' Tribune" to process the loss of his sister Roxane, who died at 15.

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That was very moving.

Tah, 30, described the letter as "very moving," highlighting Diomande's struggle to speak about his grief directly. The letter reveals Diomande's commitment to fulfilling his sister's belief that he would become the "best in the world." He writes, "I will prove you were right." He also shares the profound emptiness he has felt since her death, stating, "Since your death, I am simply empty."

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I will prove you were right. Even before I had real football boots, you told everyone: 'My brother will become the best in the world.'

Diomande's sister died in 2025 after someone allegedly put something in her drink at a party. He recounts cherished memories with her and finds solace on the football pitch, where he feels he can still communicate with her. "The football field is the only place where I still feel at home," he wrote. "There I am calm, and there I can talk to you. I just wish you were still here."

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Since your death, I am simply empty.

Tah, who has Ivorian roots through his father, sees value in athletes sharing their "background stories." He believes that revealing the human side of players, beyond their on-field persona, fosters understanding and strengthens the support network within a team. "I think it also helps to deal with such situations," Tah commented, anticipating a special match against Diomande's team.

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The football field is the only place where I still feel at home. There I am calm, and there I can talk to you. I just wish you were still here.