Ioana Ndiaye was at Goodison Park as Everton's men side bid farewell to the stadium
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Ioana and Iliman Ndiaye have three children together
Ioana and Iliman Ndiaye have three children together(Image: Ioana Ndiaye/Instagram)
Iliman Ndiaye’s wife sent him a message as the Everton forward wove his name into the club's history. Yesterday, he scored the final goals for the men’s side at Goodison Park in a 2-0 win over Southampton.
The Toffees took the lead just six minutes in when Iliman Ndiaye fired home from the centre of the box. The forward doubled the home side's lead in the second minute of added time at the end of the first half, sending Goodison Park into mayhem on its big day.
Ndiaye was substituted after 75 minutes for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Away from the pitch, Ndiaye is married to Ioana Ndiaye and the couple have three children together.
Ioana regularly posts on her personal Instagrampage to 58,000 followers. In an Instagram post after the game, Ioana shared a picture of them together outside Goodison.
Ioana praised her husband for his historic achievement. She said: “I can’t put into words how proud I am. Two goals on such a historic day and now your name is forever part of Goodison’s story. The last ever goal scorer at this iconic ground- what a legacy. My heart is so full.” Ioana added a blue heart emoji.
Ndiaye responded himself with a red heart emoji. The post received over 6,000 likes and many Everton fans and friends of the couple left messages of support.
One said: “Some player him. We love him.” Another said: “He's absolutely brilliant, and us blues love him.” A third person said: “Amazing achievement. Big love to you both.” A fourth added: “Amazing player, amazing family and all around great people.”
Ioana’s first post was from June 2022 when she posted a series of pictures of her with Ndiaye and their daughter enjoying a trip to Disneyland Paris. On 20 August 2022, Ioana posted a loving tribute to her husband for their second anniversary.
The couple's second daughter was born on July 7, 2023. Ioana was pictured with her husband when Ndiaye signed his Everton contract in 2024.
Their third child was born in December with Ndiaye marking the occasion with a picture of him and his wife holding their newborn's hand. The 24 year-old said: “Just when we thought our hearts couldn’t get fuller. 10.12.2024.”
Ioana appears to be enjoying life on Merseyside. In an Instagram post later that month, she posted a series of pictures of her family including one of her and her daughter watching an Everton game at Goodison Park.
There were also images of the family enjoying a fairground ride. In the accompanying caption she said: “Loving this little life of ours.”
Fans were brought to tears as they watched Everton men's first team play their last match at Goodison Park. Flares were lit and songs were sung as they marked the end of an era at The Grand Old Lady.
Thousands filled the streets around the ground ahead of the emotional fixture, with blue smoke filling the air as Everton's team bus was forced to take an alternate route after manic scenes outside the stadium.
As fans poured into the ground, Everton legend Duncan Ferguson was spotted being mobbed by fans as he made his way into Goodison Park.
Once the final whistle blew, Evertonians Tony Bellew and Gethin Jones hosted a ceremony marking the end of an era at Goodison Park. Current players and legends, including Tim Cahill and Peter Reid, all got involved in the celebrations, with Ellis Murphy and Bill-Ryder Jones performing in front of the joyous crowd.
After fans left the Merseyside ground, pubs and bars nearby were filled to the rafters as Blues continued their celebrations into the night.
The occasion marks the conclusion of one chapter of football heritage with the men’s team set to move to the club’s new home at Bramley Moore-Dock for next season. Everton Women will play their home games at Goodison Park instead of Walton Hall Park.