In July 2021, just weeks before leaving Lorient for the Premier League, Yoane Wissa’s ambitions almost came to an abrupt end. An assailant threw acid into his face at his home, leaving him at risk of losing his sight and his career. The attacker, who also attempted to abduct his daughter, was later handed an 18-year prison sentence.
Despite the physical and emotional toll, Wissa’s resolve strengthened. Lorient boss Christophe Pelissier visited him in hospital the day after the incident and noted his immediate drive to recover and keep pushing forward. Pelissier recalled being struck by Wissa’s refusal to surrender to the trauma.
A relentless journey to the top
That determination has marked every stage of his path. In 2019, Wissa was still playing for Lorient in front of sparse crowds of fewer than 3,000 at Chambly. Now, after sealing a lengthy £55m transfer from Brentford to Newcastle United, he is preparing to face Barcelona in the Champions League.
Former Lorient teammate Pierre-Yves Hamel said Wissa never dwelled on the attack and focused solely on progressing, describing his current success as the reward for unyielding effort.
Wissa’s persistence showed again this summer when he pushed for the Newcastle move, wiping Brentford references from his social media and urging the club to “keep their word” about letting him go. Brentford supporters, usually understanding when players leave for bigger clubs, were disappointed by the manner of his departure. Fan writer Ian Westbrook said others like Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard, and Thomas Frank left on good terms, while Wissa’s exit “soured” his legacy.
Newcastle’s calculated gamble
Wissa has since defended how he handled leaving, telling Newcastle’s media he remained professional, trained consistently, and stayed close to his teammates while waiting for the right time to move. Brentford’s director of football, Phil Giles, described him as an “infectious character” and stressed that his years of contribution should be seen separately from his final weeks there.
Newcastle carefully evaluated Wissa before signing him. Manager Eddie Howe sought players eager to join after missing out on Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, and Joao Pedro. The club eventually returned on deadline day with a third bid, marking a break from their policy of not recruiting outfield players over 25 since 2022.
Though now 29, Wissa is seen as a player still on an upward curve. He netted more non-penalty goals than anyone else in the Premier League last season, impressing with his movement, finishing, and defensive work. Newcastle needs that cutting edge after only Alexander Isak reached double figures last year. With Isak gone, Wissa and record signing Nick Woltemade are expected to shoulder the scoring load.
Former Lorient defender Julien Laporte believes Wissa’s ascent is far from complete, saying he is proud to have shared a pitch with him and convinced that even greater achievements lie ahead.
