There's a new name on the lips of Real Betis fans in Spain and across the world: Assane Diao. Just 18 years old, Senegal-born winger Diao has burst onto the scene this season under the tutelage of coach Manuel Pellegrini, who has thrown the youngster in at the deep end but to great effect; his two goals in his first two LALIGA EA SPORTS matches, against Granada CF and Valencia CF, make him the youngest player to score in each of his first two Spanish league games in the 21st century.
Diao was born in Senegal but moved to Spain at the age of just three, settling in the city of Badajoz near the border with Portugal. After spells in youth teams in and around Cádiz, a city on the southern coast, he arrived at the Real Betis youth academy in 2021. After a rapid progression through the youth teams, he made his first team debut for the club in September in the UEFA Europa League against Rangers FC, before finally debuting in LALIGA EA SPORTS against Real Betis' regional rivals Granada CF. What's more, he has already appeared for Spain at youth team level, and a call-up to the U-21 side looks to be on the cards very soon.
Interestingly enough, Diao first joined the club as a midfielder but has quickly seen his role evolve. He fits the bill as a modern forward: quick, physical, comfortable on both flanks and ambidextrous. Pellegrini has so far deployed him as a right winger, and his influence has been visible. Real Betis naturally gravitate to his flank when he plays; for example, 43% of their attacking play against Granada CF came down the right flank, and through Diao.
And it's not just that he facilitates play, he also scores goals. He has needed just 153 minutes and three attempts to score his two league goals, an efficiency in front of goal reminiscent of how Ansu Fati burst onto the scene in 2020.
Already a LALIGA EA SPORTS sensation, Diao had already generated significant interest in the off-season, with Chelsea, Liverpool, RB Leipzig and Real Madrid among his rumoured suitors. Real Betis acted quickly and signed him to a new deal in July committing to the club until 2027, so highly do they consider him.
In fact, Real Betis Academy Director Miguel Calzado is of the belief that Diao will keep getting better. “He's a player with huge growth potential, that's clear to see from his first matches with Betis," he said in an interview with El Desmarque this week. “We could see it when he was in the academy, too… he learns very quickly." Definitely one to watch.
