Yoane Wissa's touching message to DR Congo after World Cup exit

Yoane Wissa has already sent a strong message to Newcastle United this summer with his quality performances for DR Congo at the World Cup.

Eyebrows were raised last summer when Newcastle spent £55m to bring in Yoane Wissa from Brentford just days before his 29th birthday. That was before he went and picked up a knee injury that kept him out of action for four months.

When he returned to action, he looked like a shadow of his former self. So far removed from the goal machine that finished as the highest scoring non-penalty taker in the Premier League the season before.

Newcastle fans had practically given up on the Congolese forward, but his showings for his country in the USA have given the Magpies hope that he could shine next season.

It's the Bébé Wissa

Meanwhile, after England knocked out DR Congo on Wednesday, Wissa has taken to Instagram to deliver a very heartfelt message to his fellow countryman, explaining his pride at being part of the team that put his country on the footballing map.

"Hi everyone, it’s me, Bébé Wissa,
"The little boy who has now grown into a man.

"First and foremost, I wanted to thank Allah for this blessing, thank my family for their strength, thank my team-mates and the coaching staff for their trust, and then you, the Congolese supporters, for your love!

"Who would have thought I’d be so disappointed and in tears after losing to England? I can still picture myself daydreaming at the age of 16, lying on my bed at the training centre, writing a letter to the Congolese Football Association asking them to pick me.

"But yes, today I’m not disappointed, because the impression we left was perfect. I’m proud of this bunch of mates; I’m proud of this squad that the manager selected and moulded in his own image!

"The Congo is now on the international football map.
"My greatest honour is not having scored the DRC’s first ever World Cup goal, nor having scored three goals; it’s having made our national anthem ring out across the world, in living rooms where people didn’t even know where our magnificent country was.

"The best is yet to come.
"Let’s be proud to have experienced this.

"Yours, Bébé Wissa."

New season. New Wissa.

Wissa came so close to doubling Congo's lead in the game against England on Wednesday, hitting the post from close range. Had that shot gone in, it probably would have been game over for Thomas Tuchel's men.

We're amazed they came back from 1-0 down to win; we definitely couldn't have seen them come back from two down.

As for Wissa, it sounds as though the 29-year-old is brimming with confidence again, which has to be good news for Eddie Howe. Wissa has been desperate to prove himself at Newcastle after forcing through the move last year.

He's made a few mistakes along the way. We can't blame him for the injury, but forcing himself to come back too early didn't help, and then swapping shirts with Jean-Philippe Mateta after he'd just sunk Newcastle wasn't his brightest idea.

Still, we know he's a good player; we just need him to show it now. Howay, Wissa!