Jonathan David has two personalities. On the field, the Canadian striker is talkative with his ball, to the benefit of his “killer instinct”. But on leaving the lawn, he “does everything in slow motion”, laughs his teammate of the maple leaf Alistair Johnston.
“It’s the Iceman [l’homme de glace] ! », Says Johnston in an interview with colleague Alexandre Pratt a few weeks ago. “He makes me laugh so much. Without him wanting it, he’s probably the funniest guy in the locker room. »
“Every time you get on the bus, you don’t wonder if everyone is there. We wonder: “Is Jonathan David there?” If he is there, everyone is there, because he will certainly be the last to enter. »
But when the time comes to put on his cleats, the opposite happens for David.
“He’s so difficult to defend, because time stands still for him,” explained the Canadian defender.
He’s cool, laid back. […] He can always find a small space, squeeze into it and pass the ball through it. He sees the game differently than anyone in our group. He will be a special player for a very long time.
Alistair Johnston, about Jonathan David
The Press was able to testify to the calm and calm tone of Jonathan David during a telephone interview last week. A ten-minute discussion during which David took the time to think and weigh his words.
Quite in contrast with his performances in club (in Lille in French Ligue 1), and in selection. With the Mastiffs, it’s 37 goals in 90 games since 2020 for the 22-year-old player. He is in the top 5 of the top scorers of the season in Ligue 1, with 9 goals. With Canada, it’s 22 in 34 since 2018.
This makes him one of the main offensive threats of the country in this World Cup.
“It was my goal since I was young,” he says of his professional career and achieving his dream of competing at Worlds.
“My entourage encouraged me. I had a coach who worked exactly for that, to develop players so that they would go and play in Europe and become pros. Our goals aligned perfectly. »
PHOTO MICHEL SPINGLER, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Jonathan David is in the top 5 of the top scorers of the season in Ligue 1, with 9 goals.
In the sights of Montreal
David was born in New York, then moved to Port-au-Prince, Haiti at 3 months old. He and his family emigrated to Ottawa when he was 6 years old.
The coach in question is called Hanny El Magraby. They met in the country’s capital when Jonathan David was 10 years old. They still speak to each other “at least once a week”, indicates the player.
“He’s more than a coach for me. You could say he’s a friend, a kind of father. »
The ambition to play in Europe, “it was a dream” that they both shared.
“Since there are a lot of people who talk to me, it’s sure that sometimes you forget a little, and you’re tempted by what you’re told. But he was always there to remind me of my goal. »
Because David was coveted by Canadian MLS clubs. Including Montreal, which wanted to recruit him into its academy.
“It was real,” he explains. It was an offer to join the academy. I was interested. Because when you’re young, it’s something that attracts you, of course. But afterwards, my coach always reminded me that the goal was Europe. Not to join an MLS academy. I had to be patient, and trust him. »
Goals and a trophy
Jonathan David won his bet. At 18, after an amateur career in the Ottawa region, he joined Belgian first division club Gent in 2018. Thirty goals in sixty games, including a first on his professional debut.
Despite a contract extension until 2023, there is interest from bigger clubs; he was transferred to Lille in August 2020. Against all odds, LOSC won Ligue 1 that year, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain. David scores 13 goals and establishes himself as one of the good attackers on the circuit.
“Each player brings a little of what he learns to his club with his national team,” he said, when asked about his learning with Lille.
On his Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca, in office since this year: “He wants to bring out in me this instinct of the killer. To be able to repeat races in depth. Every time someone has the ball and turns to me, [je dois partir en] depth, depth, depth. »
” Down to earth ”
While David agrees that he talks a little more to some of Canada’s teammates because of their close ages, he says he gets along “very well” with almost everyone. On this subject, Alistair Johnston is not the only teammate of Jonathan David who has noticed his unique style.
“I didn’t know him before he joined the national team, explains Kamal Miller. He’s not the most talkative. He moves at his own pace. He’s a smart and very funny guy. »
“He speaks little, but when he speaks, he says funny things, adds Samuel Piette. […] He’s super humble, super down to earth. »
Miller appreciates David’s presence on the pitch, because he is alert and puts himself in a good position to receive the ball. “He’s still one of the first I’m looking to send him to,” said the defender.
Piette says it himself: “If he is slow off the pitch, he is reactive on the pitch. »