He was once a boy in Val-de-Marne gazing at the stars through a telescope, but Yéhvann Diouf has spent his recent months navigating a whirlwind of earthly emotions. Since arriving at Nice last summer, the goalkeeper has lived through a season of extremes: from the heights of international success to the frustration of the bench.
His journey included a victorious CAN campaign with Sénégal—though the final result remains a subject of legal debate. While Maroc was later awarded the win by the CAF, the TAS is still expected to deliver a final verdict. During that tournament, Diouf became an unexpected viral sensation due to the “towel incident,” yet his return to the Côte d’Azur brought a sobering reality: the loss of his starting position.
A passionate follower of everything from MMA to F1, the keeper is determined to prevent Nice from suffering the same fate he experienced at Reims last year. That painful chapter ended with a Coupe de France final loss to PSG and a relegation to Ligue 2 after a playoff defeat against Metz.
An atypical path through the 2025-2026 season
Is “crazy” the right word to describe your current season?
Maybe not crazy, but certainly unique. I came off a grueling year with Reims and had almost no summer break. We started early due to the Champions League qualifiers against Benfica, and I had to quickly integrate into a new squad with different tactical demands.
Was there a specific moment where you felt things were going south?
It wasn’t one specific moment, but rather a struggle to maintain momentum. We had a great run in October, beating Rennes and Lille, but we couldn’t sustain it. The Europa League loss to Fribourg really hurt us; it was a match we should have won. After that, we dropped too many points in games that were within our reach.
The Sénégal adventure and the towel folklore
The CAN was a bright spot for you. What stands out the most?
The beginning was powerful—receiving the flag from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and training in a packed stadium in Dakar. The energy was incredible. Then, of course, the final. Winning it on the pitch was the ultimate goal, even if the surrounding circumstances were chaotic.
You became famous for protecting Édouard Mendy’s towel from ball boys. Do you realize that moment defined you for many fans?
I realized it when I got home and everyone kept bringing it up! If it helped Édouard stay focused, then I’m happy. It adds a bit of folklore to the story, but honestly, it shouldn’t happen. My physical safety was actually at risk in that moment.
Fighting for a place at Nice
After the celebrations in Sénégal, how hard was it to find out you were no longer the first choice at Nice?
It was a shock because I hadn’t even considered the possibility while I was away. I came back with my head in the clouds, but I was brought back to earth very quickly. Maxime Dupé had performed well, and Coach Puel didn’t want to disrupt that rhythm. It’s a professional decision that I have to respect.
Did it take long to find your motivation again?
Actually, no. Winning the CAN gave me a lot of perspective. I knew I had lost my spot, and the only solution was to work harder to earn it back. The Coupe de France gave me that chance, especially the penalty shootout win at Lorient. We needed that victory for our pride and for our fans.
You’ve been vocal in the locker room recently, especially after the loss to Strasbourg. Why?
Because I don’t want to relive the nightmare of relegation. Not everyone in the squad has experienced the pressure of fighting for survival. I told them: ‘Guys, it’s up to us. No one is going to save us but ourselves.’ We have crucial matches against Auxerre and Metz coming up, and we must believe we can finish strong.”