Patrice Bernier thought there was a problem with his computer. In the meeting Zoom with its associated partners, there were more than four people. And the name of Samuel Piette was there. Eh ?
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
It was last winter, when videoconferencing was still the way to go for most occasions. Including to make big announcements.
“I thought my computer had a bug,” Bernier said on Friday. And finally, Sam’s screen appears. It was he who told me that I was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame. »
A few moments later, Mauro Biello joins the virtual conversation. Two of his former teammates — and in Biello’s case, his former coach — are there to tell him the news.
His father was also connected. In his case, his presence was planned.
“They told me they wanted to meet my father. He is an accountant. I found it harmless” in the initial circumstances of the call.
“I couldn’t ask for better,” recalls the former Impact captain.
“They made it there on purpose. To live the news. I have the video. You hear my father calling my mother. He too realizes what is happening. It was a beautiful moment. »
Canada Soccer announced the induction of Patrice Bernier on the 1er last March, along with Rhian Wilkinson and Martina Franko. The ceremony officially took place in June, in Vancouver. Why return to the subject today?
It’s because CF Montreal will pay tribute to him, this Saturday evening, at the Saputo stadium. The club faces the New England Revolution, the last team he played against before retiring. Bernier also scored from the penalty spot that evening in October 2017.
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PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Patrice Bernier moments before jumping onto the pitch for the last time in his career on October 27, 2017.
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PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
For the occasion, the Montreal club had a special armband made to mark its captain’s last game.
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PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Patrice Bernier waves to Montreal fans after the game against the New England Revolution.
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PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Despite the defeat, Patrice Bernier knew how to leave with panache by scoring on a penalty.
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PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Patrice Bernier leaves the field to the applause of the crowd…
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PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
…before bursting into tears.
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An honor that the 42-year-old Quebecer appreciates.
Of my 18 seasons, I still spent 9 with the Impact. A large majority of my career has been spent here. […] I will have the chance to be at the stadium, to commune with everyone for a special moment.
Patrice Bernier
Canada’s “roller coasters”
Patrice Bernier played 56 games with Canada. And he says it bluntly: “My dream was to go to the World Cup. »
Unfortunately, despite a fine generation of talent, the Reds were never able to transfer their fine performances at the Gold Cups of 2007 and 2009 to qualifying for the World Cup.
A regret highlighted by the success of the current team.
If there’s one thing that John Herdman did very well, it’s [d’éliminer] the inferiority complex we had in the past. […] There, they say to themselves: “We are as good as Mexico, as the United States. We will prove it.” And they did.
Patrice Bernier
“In the past, we were too sporadic, there were too many roller coasters. »
“I was perceived as a little crazy”
Friday morning, Bernier returned to the genesis of the path he traced, ball at his feet. From Brossard and Montreal to Syracuse, via Germany, Norway and Denmark.
“We always say to dream. And when you’re young, it’s often said that you dream in color. Being from Montreal and Quebec, I had the chance to play hockey. When I left hockey, I was perceived as a little crazy. Because the road for hockey is clear, even if it is not guaranteed that you will be professional. »
At that time, in football, you were playing for the Montreal Impact. And the club was not playing in MLS. Make your way in there, become professional, it was not clear.
Patrice Bernier
This induction into the Hall of Fame confirms that he “made the right choice”. But also that his “journey has marked the epic of Canadian soccer”.
He now wants his experience to be useful to others. “So much the better if my journey can serve as an inspiration”, underlines the former number 8.
This is partly why he decided to have his story told by the journalist of The Press Mathias Brunet in the biography Master of his destiny!.
Although he “wasn’t a fan” of the idea at first, Bernier accepted so that the youngest “see the road, how to do it, and to [leur] avoid the mistakes” he made.
“For soccer to move forward. »
Patrice Bernier seen by…
I remember my arrival in 2017, when Patrice was there. He was a player with so many qualities, but so calm on the pitch. You knew that if the team was performing a little less well, you were able to lean on him. […] I would also like to be that person. Let us know that Sam is someone who works super hard, and that we can count on him in difficult times. Pat is the eternal captain of the club. He has done so much for the club and Quebec soccer. A bit like Mauro Biello. Later, at the end of my career, I want to have my name next to those of Mauro, Patrice, the greats of Quebec soccer.
Samuel Piette
He is an idol of the province. And especially the country. He gave everything for his club and his country. He helped me a lot when I got into the first team. […] He helped calm my nerves. He was there, with the young people, with his experience. He’s like a big brother to me. It is an exceptional honor for him, I am very proud of him. He deserves it very much.
James Pantemis
He was a pioneer in many things. There is a lot of pride in his community. […] People who have a long career like him, they don’t really know what to do. Are they staying in football? Do they do anything else? I’m happy for him, because he found his way.
Wilfried Nancy
It’s a model. I watched him play a lot when I was younger. He inspired me. He is a great leader on the field. I was able to train with him when I was younger. His leadership… he didn’t wear the captain’s armband for nothing. It lifts everyone up.
Mathieu Choiniere