Yoane Wissa
A dynamic forward from France who chose to represent DR Congo, bringing audacious flair and crucial goals to the Premier League and international stage.
Born 1996 (age 30)·Association football player·Birthday: September 3·Millennials
Biography
Yoane Wissa's game is built on audacity. A forward who can operate on the wing or through the middle, he carries the unpredictable spark that defines match-winners. Born in the Parisian suburb of Épinay-sur-Seine in 1996 to Congolese parents, his technical foundation was forged in French academies before he broke through at FC Lorient. His performances there—a blend of clever movement, sharp finishing, and a penchant for the spectacular—earned him a move to the Premier League. At Brentford, and later Newcastle United, Wissa provided more than depth; he offered a genuine game-changing option off the bench or in the starting XI. Internationally, his choice to represent the DR Congo over France added a key weapon to the Leopards' attack. Wissa's story is about seizing moments, whether with a backheel flick in a crowded box or by embracing the chance to become a sporting hero for his ancestral homeland.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Yoane was born in 1996, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Yoane Was Born
The biggest hits of 1996
#1 Movie
Independence Day
Best Picture
The English Patient
#1 TV Show
ER
Yoane's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1996Born
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2001Started school
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2009Became a teenager
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Could drive
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2014Could vote
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2017Turned 21
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Turned 30
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored on his Premier League debut for Brentford in a 2021 victory over Arsenal.
- Has been a consistent offensive contributor for DR Congo, scoring in crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and tournaments.
- Helped Brentford achieve and maintain their Premier League status after promotion, with vital goals across multiple seasons.
- Earned a transfer to historic Premier League club Newcastle United, joining their squad in the 2024-25 season.
Did You Know?
Wissa is known for his celebratory backflips after scoring goals.
He holds French citizenship but elected to represent the DR Congo at the international level, making his debut in 2021.
Before his professional breakthrough, he played for Stade Lavallois and Angers SCO's reserve teams in the French lower divisions.
His younger brother, Lyes Wissa, is also a professional footballer.
“My game is to take risks, to try the dribble or shot others might not.”
