The story of Moses Bombito fits perfectly with the proposition that no one is a prophet in his country.
Like Félix Leclerc, Georges St-Pierre or Antoni Porowski, Bombito shone abroad before obtaining any recognition in his native Quebec. “I left Montreal when I was 20 to try to give myself a chance in the professional world,” remembers the central defender of OGC Nice, in the French first division.
Tuesday evening, the gifted 24-year-old visited young soccer players from his childhood neighborhood at the sports complex where he cut his teeth. During his brief meeting with members of the media in the parking lot leading to the various sports arenas, fans gathered around the star of the Canadian team, who was visiting Montreal for a training camp.
Children tried to get his attention by shouting his name and waving jerseys with his image. “I try to stay focused, but it’s not easy,” he said, imperturbably.
After all, these young people had before them an athlete who had defied all odds. He trained on the same terrain as them and he also had the same ambitions. And against all odds, Bombito managed to make his way to one of the most prestigious leagues on the planet.
I’m from Montreal, but I haven’t had a chance here. I left for the United States and that’s where I really had more visibility.
Mpïse Bombito
Rejected by the Impact Academy and the Canadian Premier League (CPL), Bombito turned to the American university circuit. In Iowa and New Hampshire, he actually had enough to stand out and be picked third overall in the MLS draft by the Colorado Rapids. In two seasons in the North American circuit, he obtained 25 starts.
His skills and progress forced the Canadian delegation to select the 6’3” defender for the most important international meetings. Like at the Copa América in June, where Canada took fourth place. Bombito started all six games for Canada. Then, on August 19, his transfer to OGC Nice was made official.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION, THE PRESS
Moïse Bombito, whose potential aroused almost no interest when he played as a striker at CS Saint-Laurent, faced Paris Saint-Germain last Sunday, the most prestigious club in Europe.
Living the dream
At the time when he was on the grounds of Boulevard Thimens, Bombito wanted “to be able to go to the best leagues in Europe. In France, England, Spain. And it came true.”
In France, he wears the number 64, corresponding to the STM bus line he had to take to get to the field. “It’s to show that I don’t forget where I come from, but also so that 64 is the new number for young people from Saint-Laurent. »
Even on the biggest stages, Bombito cannot deny his past. This youngster whose potential aroused almost no interest when he played as a striker at CS Saint-Laurent faced Paris Saint-Germain, the most prestigious club in Europe, as recently as last Sunday.
PSG is a team I played with on FIFA. So for me, to play against them and have my friends watching the match, it’s exceptional. It was a dream. And to be able to achieve it is something great.
Moses Bombito
His transfer from Colorado to Nice was orchestrated “before and during” the Copa América. “But I was still a Colorado player, so I didn’t really think about that. ” And towards “the end of July and the beginning of August”, he was informed of the increasingly real possibility that he might go overseas.
He will therefore play in Nice until 2028. After five matches in France, he is already comfortable in the best league in France. “I adapted quickly. Just speaking the same language helps. I understand them and I was able to adjust better to their environment. »
In Nice, it is said, the supporters have already adopted it. “I stayed myself. I’m very open-minded, I like working for the club I play for. It feels good to have supporters who will be with you through good times and bad times. It just forces you to be the best version of yourself. »
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION, THE PRESS
At the time when he was on the grounds of Boulevard Thimens, Bombito wanted “to be able to go to the best leagues in Europe. In France, England, Spain. And it came true.”
Return to basics
Things have changed quickly in recent months. In the blind spot of Quebec soccer and in the shadow of his compatriots Ismaël Koné and Mathieu Choinière, Bombito found his way.
Between the Canadian epic at the Copa América, his move to France and his short-lived return to his hometown, the young man did not take enough time, he admits, to assimilate all these twists and turns. “I’m not lying to you, it hasn’t been long since I realized that I’m pretty far along in my progress, but I wouldn’t say I’m at the final product. I’m always hungry. »
He also wants to give back. “With a little luck and a lot of work,” he notes, his dreams came true.
With a Canada Soccer jacket on his back, Bombito had fun with the sixty young people present to welcome him by forming a guard of honor.
“I’m here to show them that it’s possible to grow up in this world. My opportunity presented itself in the United States, but perhaps these young people could succeed at CF Montreal or with opportunities in the CPL. » Otherwise, Bombito is living proof that all roads lead to Rome. Or in Nice.