It was alway going to take something special to topple the mighty Paris Saint-Germain from their perch. That something came in the form of Lille, with a young man coming from Brookly, via Haiti, Canada and Belgium spearheading the charge. That man was 21-year-old Jonathan David.
Part of a new breed of footballer, whose eye for goal is matched by his appreciation for style, Jonathan David is a man with a singular focus when it comes to the game. Born in Brooklyn before moving to Haiti and then Canada, it was in Belgium that he signed his first professional contract. Having averaged a goal every other game with Gent, the lineup of suitors for his signature soon included some of Europe’s heavyweights. But Ligue 1 was his next destination, and glory would await the in-form striker, who struck killer blows against the likes of PSG and Marseille to see his new side, Lille, crowned champions.
Humble yet driven, his is a journey that has only just begun, as we found out when we spoke with the Canadian international recently.
New York, Haiti, then Canada – that alone is an incredibly varied journey. How do you think those different environments helped shape you?
I didn’t really get to experience New York because I was so young. But I think between Haiti and Canada, being such different countries and cultures, it helped me to become adaptable, and I would like to think that I took the best of both worlds.
Finding football – where did that love come from and can you remember your introduction to the sport?
My love for the game came from my dad and the streets in Haiti. Growing up there, my dad was playing football, so I had a ball at my feet as well, playing in the streets with friends, and really enjoying it. In Haiti, people love football, every time there would be a game on, we would all tune in. I think it was just meant to be.
Did you back yourself from an early age in thinking Europe is where you needed to be to play the game?
Yeah. From an early age, becoming a professional was my dream, what I really wanted to do, and I believed in myself. I was always watching football on tv, and the best football was being played in Europe, so that was my destination from the very beginning.
Can you remember watching European football as a kid? What players grabbed your attention as a youngster and what was it about them specifically?
Yeah I can remember it well. For me, Ronaldinho really caught my attention. He brought magic to the game. He always played as if he was just playing with some friends, always doing it with a smile. And then Thierry Henry, for his ice cold composure in front of goal and his killer mindset.
A lot has been talked about the influence of El-Magraby on your career early on. How lucky do you feel to have had a coach like that?
I feel very lucky to have had him as a coach, because it’s like everything came together at the right time. His goal was to develop professional players, and that’s all I wanted, so I committed.
What was the most vital thing he taught you that struck a chord with you mentally?
I don’t think there was one particular thing. I think it was an entire approach. He always talked to me about mentality and work ethic. He stressed what we did in team training wasn’t enough if we wanted to accomplish what we said we wanted. It was serious and professional, but he still allowed space for freedom. Training was not only about work, but it was the place to try new things, to make mistakes. I think most important, he wanted me to be a good player, but to be an even better man in life away from football.
People like that might be unsung heroes of football. How vital is it to invest in areas like grassroots to build a strong future for the next generation?
I think its super important. I think outside of Europe there is so much talent that is never seen or given an opportunity. There is limited scouting and investment at the grassroots level, and it’s a shame for real talent to be unnoticed, and for players to give up on their dreams when they deserved something more.
What was it like to do what you were doing at 17 and trying to earn that place at Gent? It’s a fast way to grow up for a young man…
You know, it was fun because I’m finally where I wanted to be since I was a kid, fighting for a spot to play in a European team. But at the same time, it wasn’t easy, going somewhere unknown, far away from home. It’s like you have to restart from zero.
Did you find you matured quickly given the way you were gaining life experiences through being away from home and in another continent?
Yes, absolutely. I had to grow up very fast. I didn’t have my family with me, people to make me feel comfortable. I have to start doing things on my own, cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning. There’s no one to tell you, don’t do this, don’t do that. You have to figure it out.
One hell of a birthday present at the age of 18 to get that professional contract in Europe. Can you remember how you felt at the time? How much did it feel like the beginning of the future?
The feeling was amazing. What I worked for my entire life, I finally get a taste of it. But I knew it was only the beginning, and the hardest part was still to come if I wanted to make the next step. So in the moment I tried to stay grounded and focused.
You stormed it from the start. Scoring plenty and earning that contract. What was your mentality like in those first games? Fearless?
It was great to start off scoring. I think the pre-season helped me a lot because I was already scoring in those games, and that just gave me confidence that I could also do it in the league. So much of scoring goals is just confidence. I was just channeling that confidence and staying focused.
Becoming top scorer in Belgium too – how much are you always looking to be that headline player, the one whose numbers are supreme?
To be honest, I’m not really looking to be the headline player. I’m a striker, so my job is to score goals. And, as everyone knows, attackers usually get the glory. But in my positioning and in my movement, I’m thinking about what’s going to help the team, not just to make myself a hero. Of course I want to have good stats, but that’s not the starting point.
There were a number of clubs flying around you with interest before you signed for Lille. What was making that decision like for you? Was it easy to drown out the noise?
Yeah, that process was something new for me. I had good people around me to help me stay focused on what really mattered and make the best decision for me. As far as the noise, I don’t really listen to that stuff, it’s easy enough to drown it out.
It says something about your character to choose a team where you can develop and build over others. What are the qualities you look for in a club but also those people you trust and surround yourself with.
I want a club that has real confidence in me. A club with ambition, but at the same time will allow me to continue taking my game to a higher level. I like people who are not afraid to tell me the truth, and people with sincere intentions for me and my family.
With the likes of yourself and Alphonso Davies on the scene, Canada has two players who have contemporary taste off the pitch and a relentless approach to winning on it – how would you describe yourself?
I would say I’m a more calm, chill personality. I just like to chill and fun with my friends in my free time, more simple things than anything extravagant. I think some of the same demeanor carries onto the pitch, I try to keep cool, and I’m highly concentrated on winning.
Tim Weah is a dresser and has a creative eye. Would you say you share a similar headspace?
Yes I would say that. We both like clothes, and even though there are differences in our style, we still have appreciation for what the other is doing.
Tell us about linking up with Fly Nowhere, what catches your eye about what they’re doing?
Yeah the link up with Fly Nowhere has been great. It’s a lot of cool people with different experiences. I like that they bring something unique that you don’t see everywhere.
Where do you look for inspiration when you’re not playing?
I tend to find it in movies, through other people’s experiences.
How much is football your form of expression? Is there other ways you like to showcase your personality?
Football is definitely a form of expression for me. On the pitch, I feel free and I can let my imagination work. I guess my personality would also show in the clothes or the movies I like.
How far into the future do you look and what names do you want yours to be alongside when people are talking about the talent breaking through in Europe?
Honestly, I never want to look too far in the future. I always want to live in the moment and enjoy it. But of course I want my name to be alongside the very best.
What has been the best experience football has given you so far?
The best experience football has given me is being able to travel to different countries and see different places, cultures, and people. Also to see how passionate people are about this game
A long while off, but how would you like to be known when you finish playing football? A game changer? A leader? A revolutionary?
I would like to be remembered as someone who changed the game for Canadian soccer.
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