Iowa Western Community College head coach Michael Brown found himself in a delicate position as he composed a text message he wished he didn’t have to send. The recipient was none other than Canada centre-back Moise Bombito, a player who had recently garnered attention for his standout performance against Argentina in the Copa America opener. However, what followed was a barrage of racist comments directed at Bombito on social media, stemming from a tackle he made on none other than Lionel Messi.
Despite the adversity Bombito faced, Brown knew he had to reach out to the young player. “I want you to know that when I brag about you, I brag about you as a person and not as a player,” read Brown’s message. To Brown’s surprise, Bombito’s response was one of resilience and strength. “Coach, it’s part of the game. I have to block it out and not let it affect me,” Bombito replied. Brown found himself impressed by Bombito’s maturity and fortitude.
Bombito’s journey to success in European football is nothing short of remarkable. The young defender’s move to Nice marked a significant milestone for Canadian soccer, becoming one of the few to ascend from junior college to a top European league in just three years. The sources revealed to The Athletic that Bombito’s transfer fee amounted to €7 million, a testament to his talent and potential.
“A lot of kids will say they want to do what Moise did, but are they willing to make sacrifices? To weather the criticism? To embrace discomfort? Moise is fearless,” Brown reflected on Bombito’s perseverance and determination.
If there was a fictitious assembly line for producing Canadian men’s national team players, Brampton, Ontario would likely be the top candidate, with players like Tajon Buchanan and Jonathan Osorio hailing from the soccer-rich city. Meanwhile, in Montreal’s borough of Saint-Laurent, a unique soccer culture has produced talents like Ismael Kone and Bombito.
Rocco Placentino, a former Montreal Impact midfielder and current technical director of CS Saint-Laurent, remarked on the resilience and tenacity of players like Bombito. “Moise didn’t come up in the easiest neighborhoods,” Placentino noted. The player’s journey from a challenging upbringing to the heights of European football serves as an inspiration for aspiring young athletes.
In the world of soccer, stories like Bombito’s are rare but powerful, showcasing the grit and determination required to succeed at the highest levels. As Bombito continues to defy expectations and break barriers, his story serves as a beacon of hope for young players dreaming of making it big on the world stage.
