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Yan Diomande
The rapper and entrepreneur was seen in the audience at Lincoln Financial Field
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Catching an A-lister at this summer's World Cup is hardly a shock.
TV cameras have already been working overtime, searching the crowd for famous faces – with commentators helpfully given a list of those anticipated to attend at certain venues.
But, while FourFourTwo can't get enough of the finer points of the clash between Ivory Coast and Ecuador , it might be a tough sell as a 'glamour match' for some.
Why Jay-Z wanted to watch Ivory Coast
So, it may have come as a surprise to see top-selling rapper Jay-Z in the crowd for this Group E encounter.
However, the 'Empire State of Mind' artist had a perfectly clear reason to be at the game.
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Alongside his music career, one of Jay-Z's main business ventures is Roc Nation – an entertainment agency with multiple divisions, one of which is sports.
Stars such as Vinicius Junior , Endrick and Gabriel Martinelli are clients of Roc Nation Sports – as is young Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande .
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The 19-year-old is widely expected to achieve great things, and has been connected with clubs like Liverpool in recent times.
Jay-Z was spotted greeting Diomande ahead of the game, potentially rolling out the red carpet for the RB Leipzig star, with Transfermarkt valuing the teenager as the second most expensive player on the agency's roster at €90m, behind only Vini Jr.
It could be a major summer ahead for Diomande, both at the World Cup and in the transfer market.
He was given a starting spot by Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae , despite the head coach not making room for players like Manchester United winger Amad .
Diomande joined RB Leipzig last summer, netting 13 goals and contributing nine assists in his debut season.
So, it makes perfect sense that Roc Nation is giving the youngster the VIP treatment.
Isaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters’ meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.
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