Ibrahima Diallo (born 16 January 1993) is an English footballer. He played in the 7-a-side football event at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.
Diallo was born on 16 January 1993 in Conakry, Guinea.[1] [2] He moved to England at the age of ten with his parents and two siblings.[3]
In December 2011 he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after a physiotherapist, who also worked with the British Paralympic team, noticed his unusual running style during a training session for the English College's team at Lilleshall. Diallo had previously attributed his problems when running to tight muscle groups in his thigh.[2] [3]
As a teenager Diallo played for the Bristol City F.C. academy teams.[2] Since February 2012 he has played for the Great Britain 7-a-side team for players with cerebral palsy.[2] [3]
In 2012, he was a member of the Great Britain team that won a silver medal at the 2012 Paralympic World Cup.[1] The British team were beaten 4-2 by Brazil, the team ranked fourth in the world, in the final of the tournament which was held in Manchester.[2] Diallo and Patrick Heselton each scored consolation goals for Great Britain after Brazil had taken a 4–0 lead.[4] Diallo had also scored a hat-trick of goals in a 7–3 win over Ireland in the final group match which qualified the British team for the final.[5]
He represented Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Paralympics as part of a twelve-player squad for the 7-a-side football event.[6] [7] He scored a goal in four different matches but Great Britain finished 7th of the 8 teams.
In his domestic football career Diallo moved from Clevedon Town to Mangotsfield United in March 2014. He had previously also played for Filton Academy and Paulton Rovers.[8]
Diallo currently plays for Bitton AFC.