Youssouf Ndayishimiye: Burundi and Nice defender on his rise out of poverty

Youssouf Ndayishimiye, who grew up in Bujumbura, Burundi, aspired to escape “unimaginable poverty” through football. In 2023, he became Burundi’s most expensive player after joining Nice for €11.5m, a significant leap from his childhood struggles with food and basic necessities. Despite challenges, including borrowing boots for trials, Ndayishimiye remained determined to uplift his family from poverty, driven by the love and sacrifices of his mother.