‘Shadow brother, always present’: Ousmane Dembele’s loyal friend Moustapha Diatta earns spotlight after teary reaction to Ballon d’Or win
Diatta was full of pride and emotions after Ousmane’s win!
Ousmane Dembele and Moustapha Diatta / Photo collage: Tribuna.com. Photo: Getty Images, Bein Sports
Ousmane Dembele was overwhelmed with emotions after winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or award in Paris.
He couldn’t stop himself from tearing up when remembering his tough times and highlighting the people who led him through the hard times.
Dembele’s speech caused his close friend Moustapha Diatta to start crying, with the camera panning to caught his reaction.
A fan noted Moustapha’s key role in Dembele’s rise, as they wrote on X: “Moustapha Diatta, Ousmane’s loyal friend. They met in Évreux, two inseparable kids who spent their days kicking a ball around. From early on, their bond turned into a brotherhood. When Ousmane left Normandy to join Rennes, then Dortmund and Barcelona, Moustapha was never far behind.
“He put his own career aside to follow him, support him, and remind him of where he came from. In moments of doubt, injury, or loneliness, he was that shadow brother, always present, always loyal. He even lives with him.
“This extraordinary friendship was even highlighted by Adidas. Recently, the brand with the three stripes launched the “You Got This” campaign, showcasing the Dembélé-Diatta duo in their hometown.
“Today, they arrived together at the ceremony, and like family, he was part of the photo with Mama Dembélé. And when Ousmane raised the Ballon d’Or, he didn’t forget to pay tribute to him. In the room, Moustapha cried, tears of pride and gratitude, those of a friend who shared the journey from the first dribble to the pinnacle of world football.”
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