It was the big football party in Villeneuve-la-Garenne this Thursday.
The reason ?
Manu Koné was back in his training club for the organization of a tournament.
The MKCup.
In just two months, the community of Mönchengladbach, helped by its advisers, prepared this beautiful event.
Selected in the France Espoirs team by Sylvain Ripoll, the native of Colombes has taken on a whole new dimension this year.
For the first edition of the MK Cup, under cloudy weather, Koné wanted to give a smile to the children, but also to the volunteers, to its first coaches, to the city of Hauts-de-Seine as a whole.
“He has a real connection with his city”
Concerts, barber, FIFA tournament, inflatable games, raffle, gala match: Manu Koné did not do things by halves.
“This tournament is a source of great pride to show young people the interest that I have kept for this city, I like to make young people smile.
There is nothing better, ”exclaims the local star, dressed in an off-white tracksuit.
Like William Gallas in his time, Koné became the symbol of all the youth of the city.
With the "Génération Unis" association and its sponsor Adidas, the former Toulouse FC player was waiting for the right moment to create this gathering focused on football and young people.
It's done.
“Since I have known him, he hasn't stopped talking to me about Villeneuve-la-Garenne, says Christopher Mwendy, his adviser.
His first vacation is to come here.
He has a real connection to his city.
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The young people of Villeneuve-la-Garenne took advantage of every moment with Manu Koné.
LP/Icon Sport/Guillaume Talbot 2022 Icon Sport
His parents, his sister, his brothers, his nephew, his nieces, his whole family were present at the Complexe Sportif Philippe Cattiau.
“He is a very human person, open to everyone.
I hadn't seen him for ten years, because he was traveling all over Europe, and he recognized me right away.
He had a super warm side, ”says Omar Taleb, Manu Koné's former coach with the U11s.
The youngest, who played matches in the morning, took advantage of the first opportunity to jump into his arms, take selfies, joke.
"All the young people were like crazy before he came," says Pascal Pelain, UDI mayor of Villeneuve-la-Garenne.
Children who kept stars in their eyes all day.
"He was crazy about football, but above all too strong"
Manu Koné's career has not been straight between Villeneuve-la-Garenne and Mönchengladbach, but his perseverance has marked observers.
He always fought more than the others to achieve his ends.
Especially in Toulouse in Ligue 2, where his talent eventually alerted to the Bundesliga.
"When I trained him, he was crazy about football, but above all too strong", admits Omar Taleb, not surprised by his progress.
Never forget the mission ⚔️⚔️
Nice victory all together it's important ✅🔥#Enmission pic.twitter.com/oTFnTz4qi1
— Manu Kone (@kne_manu) May 3, 2022
Despite this meteoric rise, Manu Koné, just 21 years old, has kept his feet on the ground.
“Since I started football, I wanted to make young people in my town want to become pro.
I don't forget where I come from”, advances the international hope, before adding: “When I signed professional with Toulouse (2018-2019 season), the first thing I did was is to bring back number 34 flocked jerseys to my friends in my neighborhood of Villeneuve-la-Garenne.
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Manu Koné poses with all the young people of AVG football.
LP/Icon Sport/Guillaume Talbot 2022 Icon Sport
To the angels, the young people of AVG Foot make Manu Koné a symbol.
“The good thing is that he didn't do things by halves.
This is a real example!
“, say in chorus the U9 of the club.
Having supported the MK Cup initiative, the town hall of Villeneuve-la-Garenne places a lot of hope in “Manuninho”
(as Amine Adli had nicknamed him in Toulouse, now an opponent in the Bundesliga)
.
Bachir Haddache, sports assistant for the municipality of Hauts-de-Seine, wants to make Manu Koné a figurehead of the new generation: “We want him to remain an ambassador for the city and above all an example for young people.
“Before the mayor clarifies:” We thank him for taking the time, not all professional footballers do it.
He is a boy full of humility.
All of them, without exception, speak of a strong-willed, open and humble man.
The objective of the MK Cup: to grow over the years.
With a godfather like Manu Koné, all hopes are allowed.
