From Homeless, to League 1 Player of the Year: The REAL Story of RICHARD KONE | Perspectives
Richard Kone’s story is far from ordinary. Born in Ivory Coast, at 16 years old he was made homeless. But, he turned that struggle into triumph.Representing Ivory Coast at the homeless world cup and making a name for himself. From the streets of Ivory Coast to England. His journey has been anything but ordinary. Football wasn't just a game, it was survival. Kone moved to England and scored over 100 goals in the ninth tier of English football, catching the eyes of professional clubs. Then he achieved his dream of becoming a professional footballer after signing for Wycombe.From his debut goal in the EFL Trophy to a record breaking nine minute hat trick, Kone’s rise has been electric. League One player of the season. Young player of the season. A name on everyone's lips. Kone has just signed for QPR and will surely light up the championship this season.This isn't just a football story. It's about persistence. It's about seizing the moment. It's about never letting go of the dream. For Perspectives on Rising Ballers, this is Richard Kone.This episode was recorded before Kone’s move to QPR on 13.08.25FOLLOW RISING BALLERS 👇Instagram: / risingballe. .TikTok: / risingballers. .X: https://twitter.com/RisingBallers_?re...0:00 Intro2:07 Growing Up in Ivory Coast4:12 Homeless World Cup5:23 Partnering with Skechers8:17 Moving to the UK & First Impressions9:42 Non-League Beginnings10:57 Goalscoring in Debut Season12:15 Scoring 40+ Goals in a Season13:31 Advice for Young Strikers15:57 Experience of Trials With Pro Clubs17:44 Frustrations & Dealing with Setbacks19:09 Learning Things About Himself20:19 Trial at Wycombe22:55 Wycombe’s Faith in Him23:48 Signing Pro Terms25:55 Making His Debut26:54 What Does A Match Day Feel Like28:08 First Hattrick30:30 Culture at Wycombe31:06 Signing an Extension32:00 Making the Dream Bigger33:00 Winning League 1 Player of the Year34:58 Playing For His Country36:25 Advice to All Young Athletes38:47 Targets For This Season
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How I Battled the Chinese Mafia, Jail & Match-Fixing: MOSES SWAIBU REVEALS ALL | Perspectives
A footballer whose name became synonymous with scandal, a life derailed by a fateful mistake.This is Moses Swaibu - once a rising star, a player tipped for greatness in the football league. But his world came crashing down when he got involved with the Chinese mafia and caught in a match-fixing scandal that led to a 16-month prison sentence. In the blink of an eye, he went from being a player with a future to someone whose career and freedom were in jeopardy.From the streets of London to the cold confines of prison, Moses faced it all. And now, he’s rising again. This is the story of a man who’s not just fighting to rebuild his career, but to reclaim his life from the depths of despair.This isn’t a tale of just a fall from grace - it’s about survival. It’s about redemption. It’s about facing your darkest days and finding the strength to rise again.For Perspectives, this is Moses Swaibu: raw, real and in his own words.FOLLOW RISING BALLERS 👇Instagram: / risingballe. .TikTok: / risingballers. .X: https://twitter.com/RisingBallers_?re...TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro01:24 Early Beginnings02:55 Introduction to Football05:35 Opportunity Growing Up06:59 Joining Crystal Palace Academy09:25 Making the Palace Squad11:16 Working with Neil Warnock & Getting Released13:21 Lows After Getting Released15:45 Joining Bromley17:45 Working Way Up to Lincoln City20:16 Establishing Himself Back On Football Pyramid22:09 Dressing Room Culture Surrounding Money25:05 Life Begins to Spiral & Drug Raids On His House27:24 Accused of Stealing Chicken From Tesco31:29 Shootings & a Semi-Automatic Uzi37:41 Dealing With Issues Mentally42:09 Introduction to Match-Fixing & How Does it Work?47:10 What Made Him Decide to Do It?48:48 What Was His Fear On What Could Go Wrong?52:15 How Widespread is Corruption in Football?01:06:03 Lead Up To Arrest01:08:32 Breaking Down01:15:36 Being Arrested01:16:56: Responsibility for Others01:18:53 Being in Jail01:25:40 Men’s Mental Health & Accountability01:30:47 How Can Governing Bodies Protect Players Better?01:34:00 Personal Relationship With Football Now01:38:45 Message To Younger Self
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What REALLY Happened to CHARLY MUSONDA? The Untold Story | Perspectives
FOLLOW RISING BALLERS 👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risingballers/?hl=en-gbTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@risingballers...X: https://twitter.com/RisingBallers_?re...TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro02:00 How Football Started for Him03:26 Family Background in Football03:50 Anderlecht Academy04:49 Big Clubs’ Interest in Signing Him07:10 Why Did He Choose Chelsea?09:50 Challenges Moving Country11:04 Who Was In His Youth Team?12:17 Youth Team Successes13:19 Real Betis Loan16:08 Making Chelsea Debut18:43 Playing With Chelsea Legends20:07 Fabregas Smashed Him In Training21:19 John Terry Influence21:52 Celtic Loan25:13 Recalled & Loaned to Vitesse25:43 First Big Injury27:42 Rehab at Chelsea28:21 Second Tear30:32 Rebuilding at Chelsea Under Lampard31:41 Marina Granovskaia Influence on Loans32:41 Return to Vitesse34:00 Worsening of Knee Injury35:35 Need for Surgery37:16 Doctors Tell Him Recovery Is Impossible38:28 Mental Battles & Fear Of Never Playing Again39:50 Impact of Covid41:42 Moving to Dubai for Rehab43:59 Having a “Nearly” Story & Battling Depression46:15 Loneliness in Dealing With Injury48:33 Chelsea Exit “Killed” Him50:11 Why Did He Really Leave Chelsea?52:55 Getting Covid During Pre-Season54:30 Club Politics at Chelsea55:51 Offered to Play for Chelsea for Free57:26 Finally Leaving Chelsea58:24 Heartbreak at Leaving & Taking a Break1:00:01 Crying in the Car01:01:03 Move to Levante01:02:56 Bad Start to Season & More Injuries01:05:01 Working Toward Full Recovery01:05:54 Leaving Levante01:07:00 Training Changes & It Not Being Fun01:08:57 Huge Career Announcement01:12:07 Finding New Purpose01:13:59 Letting Go
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What LENY YORO REALLY Thinks About Life at Manchester United | Perspectives
One of Europe’s most wanted defenders - composed beyond his years, sharp in the tackle and always a step ahead. Still a teenager, but already a leader at the back.At Lille, he made his debut at just 16, growing into one of Ligue 1’s standout centre-backs.From Northern France, to Manchester United, the spotlight followed. And in the Europa League, he marked his arrival with his first goal against Lyon.For Perspectives on Rising Ballers, this is Leny Yoro.FOLLOW RISING BALLERS 👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risingballers/?hl=en-gbTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@risingballers...X: https://twitter.com/RisingBallers_?re...TIMESTAMPS:
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AMAD DIALLO: I NEED to Win This Trophy 🏆 | Perspectives
One of African football's brightest young talents - just four league games at Atalanta was enough to catch the eye of Europe’s elite. Composed, quick, instinctive - Manchester United moved fast.The road since hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s never been quiet. A standout loan at Sunderland reignited the buzz.And this season, a 12-minute hat-trick against Southampton lit it all up again. For Perspectives on Rising Ballers, this is Amad Diallo.FOLLOW RISING BALLERS 👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risingballe...TikTok: / risingballers. .X: https://twitter.com/RisingBallers_?re...TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro01:25 Falling in Love with Football01:55 Leaving Ivory Coast at a Young Age02:58 Most Important People03:40 Premier League vs Serie A04:27 Toughest Defender05:14 Hat-Trick vs Southampton06:43 Playing for the National Team07:50 One Trophy He Wants to Win08:29 Celebrating09:04 Dealing With Injuries & Setbacks10:00 Dream Dinner Guests11:06 Aspirations as a Person11:35 5 Year Plan12:05 Sunderland
Perspectives - where you can listen to the most interesting stories from behind the scenes in football, that you wouldn't hear anywhere else. A podcast by Rising Ballers.
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