Amad Diallo’s celebration after scoring his first senior goal against AC Milan in the Europa League last week was a touching tribute to former teammate Willy Braciano Ta Bi.
Amad scored in the 50th minute to give Manchester United the lead in what was an eventual 1-1 draw. It was his third appearance for the club since joining from Atalanta in January.
His header looped over the head of Milan ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Ivorian then held his right hand to his ear, and covered his left eye with the other hand.
Manchester United’s official website have now explained that the celebration was a tribute to Braciano Ta Bi, who tragically passed away from liver cancer in February aged 21.
The defensive midfielder was a teammate of Amad at Atalanta.
He also made one senior appearance for the Ivory Coast.
United posted a link to an Instagram post from Amad which read: “Rest in peace, Willy Braciano Ta Bi. Always in our hearts.
And on Twitter, he wrote: “Rest in peace big brother, Q’ALLAH AJAWADJAL. May you be granted paradise, inch’allah.”
Atalanta also paid tribute to the midfielder in a club statement.
They said: “President Antonio Percassi and the whole Atalanta family are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Willy Braciano Ta Bi.
“A cruel fate prematurely interrupted a dream that had begun with the Nerazzurri shirt in January 2019.
“It took him a few months to play a leading role in the Primavera and help bring the Scudetto back to Bergamo, but, above all, to leave a great memory of himself.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty