Yerime Ouattara: Leadership, perspective and training with Eboué in Ivory Coast

Brentford Under-18s midfielder Yerime Ouattara says his summer trip to Ivory Coast has given him a new sense of motivation.

The young midfielder spent part of his off-season visiting family, also training with former Arsenal defender and Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Eboué, describing the experience as both inspiring and grounding.

"In the summer I travelled to Ivory Coast to see family and train with Emmanuel Eboué," Ouattara said.

"It was a really good and humbling experience. It has opened my eyes on how lucky we are and what it takes to reach the next level. It has also motivated me to push even harder."

For Ouattara, the opportunity to work with someone who represented his country at the highest level was as much about learning life lessons as footballing ones.

Training alongside Eboué, who made over 200 appearances for Arsenal and played for Ivory Coast in both the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations, gave him a closer understanding of the mentality and resilience required to succeed in the game.

Since returning to west London, that experience has translated into his performances for Brentford's U18s.

A composed and hard-working presence in midfield, Ouattara has shown leadership qualities beyond his years, taking on responsibility within the team and wearing the captain’s armband on a couple of occasions.

"I’ve really enjoyed the season," he continued.

"I’ve been getting a lot of minutes, been captain a few times and I’m really excited for what’s next."

Beyond his development on the pitch, the summer in Ivory Coast offered a moment to reconnect with his heritage and family.

It also gave Ouattara a renewed appreciation for the opportunities available to him in England and the sacrifices made by those closest to him.

"What inspires me every day is my parents and family," explained Ouattara.

"They have sacrificed a lot for me to be in this position now. Everything I do is for them - the hard work, the discipline, and the drive to keep improving.

"When things get tough, I remind myself of what they’ve given up so I can have these opportunities. It pushes me to make the most of every day and to represent them in the right way, both on and off the pitch."

That awareness has become a key part of how he approaches his football, which is with gratitude, discipline and focus.

The lessons from his time with Eboué have reinforced the importance of humility and hard work, two values that continue to guide his progress.

As he looks ahead to the rest of the campaign, Ouattara remains determined to keep improving and make the most of every opportunity that comes his way.

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