Diakhaby: “The support of the fans means a lot to me”

 ValenciaCF defender, Mouctar Diakhaby, spoke on a press conference on Thursday about his recovery and his special goal against CD Leganés.

The recovery process

“I dealt with it very well. I have worked hard and been with my family, and now, I'm going to play again.”

Being a WHO Ambassador

“These are things that I have started to do because I like to help people. Above all, in Africa. My role is to be an ambassador for their campaign, for people to travel correctly, to ensure that people do not go there for water. We understand people who make a living like my parents, and take the right path. We try to talk to them. There are many people who die in the desert, and we talk about that.”

Leader

“We are all leaders. I have more experience, but when you are on the pitch, you have to lead, because we are defenders. The results in defence are the fruits of the good work we are doing in 2025.”

Calls

“I have received several messages from Tchouaméni. He wrote to me a lot, as we have a mutual friend: Ferland Mendy. I appreciate it and it has given me motivation to get back from this injury. I received many messages in general.”

His fitness

“I feel good. I have to keep getting into the rhythm by training and playing. When we come back from an injury we need time, we can't be 100% in two games. I haven't played for a long time. It's the Primera Division. You have to get on the pace and it takes time.”

Recent seasons

“It's difficult to explain. Now, I have to concentrate on playing. With what has happened, I have a part of responsibility too. We are the ones on the pitch.”

Villarreal CF

“I see them doing very well, under a coach that we know here, with good players. They are doing very well. We want to get the three points. We have to go into every game to win.”

The banner against racism

“What I can tell you is that I felt that when my case happened, LALIGA did not act as they should, and when it happened to other people it was investigated. The president of LALIGA does not go out and say strange things in that case. It happened, but I would not get behind a banner to be the guy who agrees with that. It is fine, but acting is better than a gesture. I did not feel defended.”

Returning

“Not playing at a high level for 10 months, everything goes very fast afterwards. You think that the opposition are more physical, faster, and you have to look for quick solutions. You have to reproduce the habits from before, and for that you have to feel good physically and mentally. Watching the games has also been important for my return.”

Fear

“There was no fear. In my head, when I had the surgery, I was clear that I was going to return. I didn't know how, or how my knee would respond. I also have the mental strength that the option of not being able to play football again did not exist. When you get into that mindset, you just work. I remember the first training sessions and I was at full speed in all the duels. I knew that when I was physically fit, I wouldn't be afraid."

Difficult years

“The hardest year has been the year of the injury. Playing football is my passion and if you can't do it, things get tough for you. With an injury like that you have doubts about when you're going to return. The racism thing affected me for a while, but then on the pitch you forget about it. All of that makes me stronger.”

Support from the fans

“It means a lot to me. We know the fans we have and they have always been behind the team. It means a lot. It's a motivation to improve myself every day. We know how important they are and I hope they're with us until the end, because we need them.”

Sadiq

“He gives me advice about my knee. He explained his process to me and sometimes he tells me about his experience. It helps me deal with it, with what I have.”

Personal change

“Now, I am more patient. When you are in a hospital for two months you have to be patient. It has changed me a lot and you have to enjoy every moment. I have gained a bit of maturity.”

Vinícius Jr. case

“Each case is different. When things happen, they have to be talked about. Both are cases of racism and they have been in different places. You have to identify that it was very different. His was from a fan and mine, a player. It is completely different, there is no comparison, but it is the same in the end. I was not bothered by the noise around it. These are important things. I will never hide those things.”

The dressing room

“I can help the team by giving my best, both on and off the pitch. We are a very young squad and I have that responsibility, I have been here for a long time and if I can help outside the games, I will do it.”