Iliman Ndiaye was born on the 6th of March 2000 in Rouen, France, to a Senegalese father and a French mother, the only boy in a family of eight. His football journey began in Senegal when he was a one-year-old child; his obsession with kicking objects around the house made his grandfather buy a football for him.
His football career got off to a start with Rouen Sapins in France before he moved on to FC Rouen. He was billed as the next Zizou as his talent outshone everyone else in his age group in Rouen.
During his time at Rouen, Ndiaye was spotted by Olympique Marseille scouts, and he was signed up for their academy. After a couple of years in Marseille, at the age of 11, he returned to Senegal with his family and joined Senegalese side AS Dakar Sacre-Coeur. He practiced frequently on typical African sand pitches and at the beach, helping him hone his ball control skills.
Three years later, his father moved to England, and Iliman accompanied him, linking up with English fifth-division side Boreham Wood’s youth team. He progressed gradually through the ranks and made it to their senior team, but he was released before making a National League appearance for the side. Additionally, he represented his school, Westminster Academy’s football team. Iliman played Sunday league matches with Rising Ballers Football Club. One of their coaches spotted him in a five-a-side game in London, paving a pathway to a football academy and a professional career.
Iliman Ndiaye signed up for Sheffield United in August 2019 after a successful trial, following unsuccessful trials at Chelsea and Southampton. Subsequently, he was loaned to Hyde United in the seventh tier of English football for the second part of the 2019/2029 season to hone his skills further and gain experience at the professional level. His quality stood head and shoulders above the rest of the players, becoming a fan favourite as he made a total of nine appearances and scored one goal. His lack of a clinical edge in his game was evident to everyone at the club.
Ndiaye returned to Sheffield for the 2020/2021 season, and he was impressed with the U-23s. The young midfielder made his professional debut in a 5-0 demolition of Sheffield United by Leicester City, coming on as a late substitute. He had a memorable performance on his full debut for The Blades, netting twice against Peterborough United in a 6-2 win in September 2022.
Ndiaye truly burst onto the scene in the 2021/2022 season, firing Sheffield to Premier League promotion in the process. He was a fan favourite with the Blades, and he famously helped them secure a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals in March 2023 at the expense of Tottenham United. His jaw-dropping solo goal was the difference between both sides at the full-time whistle. The goal was an absolute beauty! Controlling the ball expertly, he left three defenders for dead and placed the ball in the bottom corner, marking his substitute appearance in an unforgettable fashion.
He was included in the EFL Team of the Season as well as the PFA Championship Team of the Season for the 2022/20023 season, earning himself a spot in Senegal’s 2022 World Cup squad in the process.
Ndiaye was also awarded the Sheffield United Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year award in 2022/2023, finishing the season with 14 goals and 11 assists across 46 League appearances.
At the end of the 2022/2023 season, Iliman was in hot demand, with numerous top-flight European clubs battling it out for his signature. He was expected to take the English top-flight by storm but he rejected The Blades’ contract renewal offer and opted for a move abroad. Boyhood club Marseille eventually won the race for his signature for a reported £29 million fee in the summer of 2023.
He made his debut against Reims on 12 August 2023. He finished the season with 4 goals and 3 assists across 46 appearances. He was a vital part of the team that made it to the semifinals of the Europa League, losing to eventual winners Atalanta. However, he failed to find his footing fully in the French League, and he desired a move back to England.
Long-term admirers of Everton FC finally got their man in the summer of 2024, heralding him as the face and driving force of the club’s potential resurgence. Iliman Ndiaye netted his first goal for The Toffees in an EFL cup tie against Doncaster Rovers. He has settled to life strongly in the English top flight and has become a fan favourite with The Toffees. His transfer has been regarded as a steal for Everton, considering the amount of talent and potential he possesses. Iliman has recorded 7 goals in 25 matches for the Premier League side so far.
Possessing dual citizenship from Senegal and France, Iliman opted to represent his father’s country on the international stage. He made his debut for the Senegalese national football team on the 4th of June 2022, -coming on as a second-half substitute for Boulaye Dia in a 3-1 AFCON qualification win over Benin Republic. He was included in their squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and he made three appearances as they crashed out to England in the Round of 16, contributing an assist and impressing for the Teranga Lions at the World Cup.
He opened his account for the Teranga Lions during an AFCON qualification match against Mozambique in a 5-1 victory on the 24th of March, 2023. He represented them at AFCON 2023, contributing a goal in a 2-0 win against Guinea. Their journey culminated in an eventual loss to Champions Ivory Coast in the round of 16.
Although born in France, he was raised in the tradition of Senegalese street football. Eye-catching and elegant on the ball, he possesses a captivating style that keeps spectators spellbound. Simply put, he is an African footballer with flair and trickery reminiscent of Brazilian greats. His father, a choreographer, instilled in him an understanding of body movement, which young Iliman seamlessly translated into his football. He is an attacker capable of playing anywhere across the front line. He delights greatly in scoring jaw-dropping solo goals. Although his end product is increasing gradually, the winger can still do so much more in setting up goals and scoring them.
His work rate is equally impressive, as he consistently tracks back and contributes defensively on the pitch.
Iliman Ndiaye is a hard worker, and he is highly dedicated to the beautiful game. He aspires to be the best player in the world and even dreams of winning football’s prestigious prize one day. He has come a long way from being a teenager who just wanted to take people on and wow spectators with his mesmerising skills. He is always eager to learn and improve.
His mindset is rigid and focused. For him, it has always been football and nothing else backed by an insatiable hunger to win. He still has a very long way to go before his dreams of becoming the best in the world can become reality.
