Wissa’s Resilience After Acid Assault

Overcoming Adversity

Yoane Wissa was on the verge of achieving his aspiration to play in the Premier League when an unforeseen event nearly derailed his dreams in July 2021. Just a month before his transfer from Lorient to Brentford, Wissa suffered a horrific attack at his home, where acid was thrown in his face, risking his vision and career.

The perpetrator, a woman, was subsequently convicted for the acid attack and for attempting to kidnap his daughter, resulting in an 18-year prison sentence. Despite the trauma, Wissa’s resolve only grew stronger.

A Display of Determination

When Lorient’s manager, Christophe Pelissier, visited Wissa in the hospital after the incident, he was struck by the player’s determination to recover. “Even in such a physically and emotionally challenging situation, Yoane demonstrated a strong will to succeed. His persistence was remarkable,” Pelissier reflected.

From Low to High

Wissa’s journey has been marked by impressive resilience. He has progressed from playing before small crowds in the French second division to being poised to take the field against Barcelona in the Champions League after completing a significant £55 million transfer to Newcastle United.

The forward’s ascent surprised none other than Pierre-Yves Hamel, a former teammate at Lorient. “He never allowed himself to wallow after the attack. His desire to move forward and blossom today reflects the hard work he’s put in,” said Hamel.

A Bumpy Transfer Journey

Wissa’s ambition to join Newcastle became evident when he distanced himself from Brentford on social media, insisting the club uphold their promise of releasing him and expressing frustration at being obstructed.

Similar comparisons were drawn with another striker’s challenging transfer experience, indicating a shared frustration among fans regarding the players’ methods of pursuing transfers.

Brentford fans have voiced their disappointment over Wissa’s approach, especially since they have generally responded favorably to players who exit amicably, such as former players Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard. Ian Westbrook, a Brentford fan writer, pointed out, “The fans have a forgiving nature towards those who leave the right way. However, Wissa’s legacy has been negatively impacted by his recent actions.”

Newcastle’s Strategic Shift

Wissa has taken steps to clarify his departure from Brentford. In an interview, he emphasized maintaining respect during his time at the club, highlighting his continuous commitment to training and staying engaged with his teammates while waiting for the perfect moment to transfer.

Brentford’s director of football, Phil Giles, characterized Wissa as a “charismatic individual,” indicating that his tenure at the club should not solely be remembered for the events surrounding his exit.

Newcastle’s pursuit of Wissa reflected a notable shift in their transfer strategy. Head coach Eddie Howe actively sought players eager to join Newcastle, particularly following earlier disappointments with other targets. This interest culminated in a decisive final offer on deadline day, showcasing a commitment to acquiring Wissa rather than exploring alternatives.

This change in strategy is significant, as Newcastle has not signed an outfield player older than 25 since Howe’s first summer at the club in 2022. At 29, Wissa represents a player who is still developing rather than nearing the end of his career.

Last season, Wissa notably led the Premier League in non-penalty goals, making him an exciting addition to Newcastle, which struggled to find goal-scoring contributors beyond Alexander Isak.

As the club’s new number nine, Wissa along with fellow record signing Nick Woltemade will be tasked with filling the gap left by Isak.

Julien Laporte, Wissa’s former teammate, expressed pride in their shared history, stating, “Playing alongside Yoane has been a pleasure, and I believe his career has only just begun.”