Amad Diallo had just become a hero for defeating fierce rivals Liverpool in an FA Cup classic when he was mistakenly labeled the villain of the piece by the referee.

After his strike escaped Caoimhín Kelleher’s goal, kissed the post, and bounced over the line at Old Trafford, he whipped off his shirt to celebrate in front of a thrilled Stretford End.

Amad Diallo celebrates scoring the victory vs Liverpool.

Amad, an Ivorian kid, scored a low shot past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher.

Understandably overtaken by emotion, he had forgotten he was on a yellow card, leaving John Brooks no choice but to show the 21-year-old a second yellow.

But when he struggled down the tunnel, it didn’t matter at all. The Ivorian had etched his name in folklore, fans were shouting it enthusiastically, and the £37 million transfer from Atalanta had finally arrived.

“I think that is the best goal of my career,” a happy Amad, who had been playing on an empty stomach to observe Ramadan, told ITV later.

Sunderland fans may claim that he performed better at the Stadium of Light during the 2022–23 season.

However, the delight on his face revealed the story of a guy who has gone a long way and left his past behind.

Leaving Ivory Coast behind.

When he was 10, he left Abidjan with his brother and traveled to Italy.

They settled in Parma, where Amad played for Boca Barco’s youth team.

Following interest from several Serie A teams, the youngster joined Atalanta in 2015 and went on to become one of the most sought-after players in European sport.

However, in 2020, local authorities initiated an investigation into how Amad landed in Parma.

It was turned over to the Italian football federation (FIGC), who later discovered that Amad and his brother were at the center of a child trafficking operation.

They said that five people brought Amad and his brother, Hamed Junior Traore, into Italy on a family visa from their home Ivory Coast.

The phony documents stated that Amad and Hamed, who is currently a Bournemouth player, would be cared for by their purported parents, Mamadou Hamed Traore and Marina Edwige Carine Teher.

The FIGC claimed the two adults were not their parents and even questioned if Hamed was Amad’s biological sibling.

According to a carefully written statement from the FIGC, Amad used the fictitious name Traore Diallo Amad to get into his first professional contract with Atalanta on July 11, 2018.

“Other non-registered subjects (Traore Hamed Mamadou and Teher Marina Edwige Carine) committed acts targeted at obtaining false or changed documents in order to avoid the regulations governing admission into Italy and membership as a non-EU citizen already residing in Italy.

“It was discovered that they pretended to be the footballer’s parents, using false certificates proving the relationship of kinship.”

“Finally, for himself, to obtain subsequent membership cards with companies affiliated with FIGC, continuing to use the false certifications that had allowed him to settle in Italy with fictitious parents.”

Aspiring footballer Amad poses with Paul Pogba.

Diallo made his first-team debut with Atalanta in 2019.

Manchester United paid £37 million to bring Amad to England.

The issue was resolved in 2021, after the FIGC accepted a plea bargain from the couple, who were fined £42,000.

Moving on.

To remove himself from the incident, the United winger changed his name and now simply wears ‘Amad’ on the back of his No16 shirt.

Although his opportunities at the Theatre of Dreams have been restricted, his advancement has been unhindered.

While on loan with the Mackems, he quickly became a fan favourite.

Prior to that, an unimpressive loan at Rangers led many to believe that the risk on an unknown player who had only appeared four times for Atalanta before United invested large was a waste of money.

A stint in the Championship was just what he needed to launch his career on our shores.

Something seemed to click four months into his tenure, when Amad scored three goals in five games in December 2022.

After his disappointing period at Rangers in Scotland, many questioned whether United had squandered their money.

However, a loan spell at Sunderland would provide him with the confidence he needed.

Former Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray understands how to get the best out of Amad.

His performances earned him the EFL Young Player of the Month accolade.

He single-handedly powered Sunderland into the playoffs and was a nightmare for the opponents.

Tony Mowbray brought out the best in him, appealing to his talents and allowed him to play freely.

It was only right that Diallo expressed his best wishes to Mowbray on social media after his dismissal earlier this season.

In an Instagram story, he stated, beside a photo of the manager, “Thanks for [assisting] me greatly in my training. “Good luck, boss.

By the end of the 2022-23 season, Amad had 14 goals and four assists for the club in all competitions.

The best performance, a magnificent score against Luton Town in the playoff semi-final, was insufficient to secure his team’s place at Wembley.

Fittingly, he has done so with United, who face Coventry City next.

And he may have just propelled himself into Erik ten Hag’s first-team plans.

But first, he must serve his suspension in their next Premier League match against Brentford.

Amad was sadly sent off for pulling his shirt off while celebrating his late winner.

Amad will undoubtedly press Erik ten Hag’s hand by providing him more first-team opportunities.