In his former college in the Canadian capital, everyone already knows “the one who managed to play in Europe“.”Jonathan is here if you want to speak to himJoé Fournier, who mentored him during his studies, jokes, pointing to a human-sized sign of the Canadian striker posted behind the reception desk. Underneath the large heated dome that houses the training ground, Jonathan David is everywhere: on the walls with one of his selection jerseys, in the tool shed with the Canada team and on the lips of all the students.”It’s inspiring to know he’s played here” confides young Nathan Aquilina, 15 years old. “There is hope“.

Born in Brooklyn to Haitian parents, young Jonathan spent his early years in Haiti. “I remember the house and playing soccer there“, he saysAFP the player who has very few memories of that time. “I had friends near my house and we always played together, in the garden or on the street.” “It was the smallest, it was fun to watch“, his older sister Chrissy recalls with a laugh. A few years after moving to Ottawa, Jonathan was also younger than his teammates when he joined Sport-études Football de Louis-Riel.”But it never bothered him‘ emphasizes Joe Fournier.

Rather shy by nature, it was on the pitch that “Johnny”, as he is known locally, “revealed his true personality” confides the director of the program.He always wanted to have the ball, he always wanted to play football while eating” he recalls with a smile on his face. “I had to push him back to class.” “My goal was to become a footballer“, remembers the one coveted by the biggest European clubs today, adding that in his first years with the national team he realized that “it was possible“.

dream of Europe

Jonathan David does not owe his nickname “Iceman” to the harsh Canadian winters, but to his character “humble and competitive“, his coach always emphasizes Hanny El-Magraby. Surrounded by neighborhood youth he continues to coach, Jonathan David’s mentor remembers a player.very safe and calm“, who “had football in his heart“. For years he would take him from club to club to train when his parents couldn’t. Together they shared the same passion for the sport and this dream of Europe, which “the end goall” says humbly the one to whom Jonathan David says he owes everything.

On his advice, the Canadian turned down several offers from national clubs as a young player without a professional academy. “Montreal, Toronto and especially Vancouver were interested“, remembers his agent Nick Mavromaras. But David’s ambition remained Europe. Despite two unsuccessful attempts in Salzburg and Stuttgart, he “believe in him‘ adds the agent, who is positive about these semi-professional years in Canada.From the age of 16 he played alongside 25-year-old men which allowed him to develop his physical game“, explains the one who has been following him since his youth.

“One Hope for All”

The house where Losc’s number 9 grew up is about a fifteen-minute drive from the large domes where he used to train. In a suburban neighborhood, Jonathan spent most of his free time with his childhood friend, Benaiah Tesfaye. “We used to ride bikes this way“, before leaving”Swim, play basketball or tennis“, says Benaiah Tesfaye, 22 years old. “If we don’t know him, he sounds very intimidating to someone‘ adds his friend.But he is a lively person who likes to laugh, who likes to have fun.“When he’s in Ottawa, the Canada international takes the opportunity to help out at his former coach’s football academy, where the neighborhood’s youth await him every year.

“He represents hope for all young Canadians playing soccer“, stresses Hanny El-Magraby.”But it only gives them hope if they understand what made Jonathan David successful, namely his mentality, his humility and his temper..” “Success is everything: There is talent, work and also luck“, adds the young Canadian, who also considers that “the notion of pleasure is super important“.”Even though it’s our job, we mustn’t forget why we started gaming: because it was a passion“says the one who started in the streets of Haiti to end in Qatar where he will take”great pride“the colors of his adopted country.