Meet Amad Diallo’s Parents: Hamed Mamadou Traore and Marina Edwige

Amad Diallo, the Manchester United winger celebrated for his skilful play and immense potential, has a story deeply intertwined with resilience and controversy.

Born on July 11, 2002, in Abidjan, the economic hub of Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), Amad grew up in Adjame, a district marked by economic hardship. His formative years were shaped by the Ivorian Civil War, which significantly influenced his socio-economic conditions.

Diallo belongs to the Baoulé ethnic group, one of the largest in Ivory Coast, and is a devout Muslim. His faith has played a central role in his life, instilling discipline and focus. Diallo has publicly embraced his beliefs, as seen when he deactivated his social media accounts during Ramadan to concentrate on his spiritual practices and football.

Originally known as Amad Traore, Diallo was believed to be the son of Hamed Mamadou Traore and Marina Edwige. However, investigations in Italy later revealed that Hamed and Marina were not his biological parents but had falsified documents to bring him to Italy under the guise of family reunification. This revelation led to legal complications, including fines under the Italian Sports Justice Code. Hamed Mamadou Traore later claimed to be Diallo’s uncle, indicating the arrangements were made to provide Amad with better opportunities.

Amad has an older brother, Hamed Junior Traore, who is also a professional footballer. Both siblings were implicated in the controversy surrounding their adoptive parents, further highlighting their shared journey through personal and professional challenges.

Diallo received a basic education in Abidjan before moving to Italy. Once there, his football training took precedence, particularly at the Atalanta Youth Academy, where he developed his craft. Diallo‘s multilingualism—fluent in French, Italian, and English—reflects his exposure to diverse cultures through his football career.

Diallo‘s football journey began in September 2014 with the Boca Barco youth team in Italy, where he showcased extraordinary talent, becoming the top scorer in a Christmas tournament despite being the youngest participant. In 2015, he joined Atalanta’s youth system, rising rapidly due to his exceptional performances. His Serie A debut came in 2019, a significant milestone that marked his transition from youth football to the professional stage.

Diallo’s raw talent and perseverance paved the way for his move to the Premier League with Manchester United. His journey from the challenging streets of Adjame to playing in some of the world’s most prestigious leagues underscores his resilience and determination.

Hamed Mamadou Traore

Born in 1975 in Adjame, Hamed Mamadou Traore was a significant figure in Amad Diallo‘s life and the local football community. He founded the Leader Foot Academy, where he spotted and nurtured Diallo‘s talent at a young age.

However, Traore‘s role extended beyond coaching when he, along with Marina Edwige, claimed to be Diallo‘s parents to facilitate his move to Italy. This claim was later proven false by DNA tests conducted during an Italian investigation into football trafficking.

Despite this, Traore has since described himself as an uncle who aimed to provide opportunities for Diallo and his supposed brother, Hamed Junior Traore, which adds complexity to their relationship.

Marina Edwige Teher

Marina Edwige‘s involvement in Amad Diallo‘s story came to light similarly through the legal inquiries in Italy. Allegedly posing as Diallo‘s mother, Edwige was part of the scheme to bring Diallo and Hamed Junior to Italy under the pretence of family reunification.

Like Traore, she was implicated in falsifying documents, leading to legal consequences for all involved, including fines from the Italian Football Federation. Her exact relationship with Diallo remains unclear, but her actions were pivotal in the narrative that unfolded around Diallo‘s early career move.

The move to Italy marked a significant turning point. The use of falsified documents was uncovered, leading to a broader investigation into the ethics of football transfers and the exploitation of young talents from economically disadvantaged regions.

The investigation into the use of false documents to enter Italy drew attention to the darker side of football transfers, where young talents could be exploited. Both Diallo and his brother faced fines for their involvement, albeit indirectly, through the use of these documents. This situation highlighted not just legal breaches but ethical questions about the welfare and rights of young athletes.