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Moka26 · 2026-06-12, 09:11 AM - Word count:

Ali Dia is retiring.
And the worst, I didn't get that information from him, but from one of his relatives, who jokingly submitted "His Cheeseburger" as his player name in the SSL database.

I know, I was a rookie last year, and as the last WSFC happened just 2 seasons ago, I feel like I didn't have the chance to really know him. He was probably a great Westaf player in the Classics, and being one of the main guys in a big team like Hollywood during their prime, he surely carried a lot of the team in that period.

One day, when scouring the SSL history archives, I found out that the West-African WSFC Federation didn't have a goalkeeper. Or rather, there was one who had to change his allegiance to fill the gap. That was one of the reasons I decided to accept the scout's proposal to join the SSL in the first place. But apparently he loved his life in Hollywood too much, and after many years there, he decided to stop. I'm sure aging is a factor, but at least I'd have loved for him to stay around, and mentor me and Ekon for at least one year before retiring… maybe he decided to go before feeling useless, and enjoy the remaining of his life with his family.

The cheeseburger guy ? I don't know. All I knew about is that he knows Ali, probably much better than me, and Ali was probably the one that brought him to the academy before retiring.

At least I hope he passed his SSL account to the new guy, and through him he checks the blog from time to time.

Ali, if (or when) you (or the new guy) read this post, I wish you a blessed and happy rest of your life !

Peace,
J.D.K.

**Lpapi** · 2026-06-12, 11:11 AM - Word count:

Ali Dia a legend!!

I’ll always remember that 3rd minute goal to put Hollywood up in the S22 SSL Cup Final
Was an iconic potm performance over a dominant USP squad to get the Cup

**roquefort** · 2026-06-12, 11:19 AM - Word count:

(2026-06-12, 11:11 AM)Lpapi Wrote: Ali Dia a legend!!

I’ll always remember that 3rd minute goal to put Hollywood up in the S22 SSL Cup Final
Was an iconic potm performance over a dominant USP squad to get the Cup

I got a sudden pain in my chest about 7 minutes ago and now i know why

**Domffl** · 2026-06-12, 11:38 AM - Word count:

Ali Dia was the midfielder the ssl needed but not the one it deserved

Moka26 · 2026-06-13, 09:22 AM - Word count:

(2026-06-12, 11:38 AM)Domffl Wrote: Ali Dia was the midfielder the ssl needed but not the one it deserved

About Cheeseburger, his bio is already available or not ?