Ten Things I’m Grateful For in the Soccer World

It’s the weekend for giving thanks in Canada. A time to reflect, to appreciate, to recognize the many good things we have in our lives.

Be it our wonderful families, our friends, our communities, and all the other things we may overlook from time to time.

In keeping with that train of thought, this week’s column will feature 10 things I’m grateful for in the world of soccer/football (past or present).

Here we go (in no particular order) . . .

Four World Cups and Two European Championships. Of course, I had to lead with the incredible success of the Italian national team over the years. It’s also a reminder to detractors, that Italia’s trophy cabinet is a lot fuller than most national teams. After winning back-to-back World Cup titles in the 1930s, they had a long drought (though they did make solid runs), and finally hoisted the trophy again in 1982. They won again with one of the best squads ever assembled in 2006. On the European side, the Azzurri won at home in 1968 and again had a long drought winning the delayed Euro 2020 in England in 2021.

Leo Messi. Okay, there is some recency bias since we just saw him play in Toronto a couple weeks ago, but let’s face it: he’s the GOAT of football around the globe. And it’s more than just on the pitch. His brilliance, quiet confidence, intense love of the game, and focus fire has created a legion of football fans in every nation. Some of those may never have been so drawn to this sport without him. Plus, like many of the fantastic Argentinian footballers, Messi has Italian ancestry on both his mother and father’s side (great-grandparents) – another reason to love him.

Christine Sinclair. The real GOAT of women’s soccer and number one international goal scorer (men or women) has been an inspiration to a new generation (maybe even two generations) of girls aiming to new heights in the sport. They saw her achieve a ton of success with professionalism and class: now they want to do the same – or even better.

Canadian National Teams (women and men). The women have a gold and two bronze medals in the modern era, while showing great pride and passion in other tournaments over the years. At the 2024 Olympics, they fought a ton of pressure from off and on the pitch to qualify to the quarterfinals, and though defeated by Germany in penalty kicks, they were winners in my eyes. The men have come along quite well over the years and after a semi-final appearance at the 2024 Copa America, the excitement is building for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

AS Roma (men and women). Anyone who has read this column in the past knows how I feel. I won’t go into it much more. There is something special about I Lupi that can’t be simulated.

New UEFA European Club Formats. The fans love it. I love it. More games against different sides, no more second chances of being sent to the next tier competition, and serious excitement. The powers that be don’t always get their changes right, but this time they did.

The UEFA Women’s Champions League. My daughter often complains about the lack of attention and support women’s soccer receives from the media and fans. However, I help ease her mind by pointing to the Women’s Champions League in Europe and show how they are growing the game the right way. Matches that are generally well-attended, filling the world’s most historic stadiums in the late knockout stages and final, ultras singing the club’s songs during entire matches (at least in Rome). The women’s game is growing – and it’s likely because they play it during the same season as the men’s game, which means the attention is already there.

All the volunteer coaches in our communities and beyond. I know many do it to spend more time with their own kids, but the majority that do it have a profound and lasting impact on the game. Instilling that early love of soccer into young people only serves to strengthen the foundation of our favourite sport. That leads to great things for the future.

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The Club’s executive committees/boards for Huntsville, Bracebridge, and Muskoka. Last, but certainly not least, I have a lot of gratitude for all the amazing volunteers (and their patient families) who have given time and effort beyond reasonable expectations. Having worked hand-in-hand (sometimes literally) with so many of the wonderful board members in our three Muskoka clubs over the years, I know the passion they have for creating a fantastic present and even better future for soccer in the region. They do it all without any regard for thanks (and often getting only negative feedback), so I’ll end this column saying thanks to all those who have sat or currently sit on our clubs’ boards.

Toronto FC. No really, even after last year’s debacle, and not finishing well enough this year to make the playoffs. The truth is that having a professional club that’s won titles and put world stars on the field for the fans to enjoy is something to be grateful for. There were the glory years (that weren’t that long ago) where Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, and Michael Bradley were leading one of the best MLS teams ever. And there were other glimpses of greatness over the years at BMO Field with opposing players with Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez recently visited.

Prior to that Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored one of his greatest goals in Toronto; Sebastien Schweinsteiger put on some solid performances; David Beckham visited with LA Galaxy for a memorable Champions League tie (and got made at the tissue being thrown on the pitch at SkyDome – I refuse to call it anything else); and the list goes on. Without Toronto FC being in MLS, many of us wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see these legends play live.

BONUS: Still being able to kick a ball around and play soccer with a bunch of great people year after year!

Happy Thanksgiving and Ciao For Now Everyone!

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