What to know
- Six Brampton-raised Canadian soccer players, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan Osorio, Liam Millar, Promise David and Jayden Nelson, were honoured Sunday following their FIFA World Cup run.
- Each player had a Brampton soccer field dedicated in their name, with the locations chosen based on where they played growing up. The exact field locations have not yet been announced.
- Larin also received the key to the city at Brampton City Hall, with his mother and former coaches speaking about his journey and his soccer career.
- The ceremony drew hundreds of young fans, with Mayor Patrick Brown and Nelson’s mother Cleo Bidal saying the honours could inspire the next generation of Brampton soccer players.
Six Brampton-raised soccer professionals received their flowers this past Sunday for their efforts in the FIFA World Cup this summer, with the mayor presenting each with their very own soccer field named after them, and Cyle Larin also receiving the key to the city.
The celebration kicked off at Brampton’s Morris Kerbal Park, where hundreds of residents and young soccer fans gathered to get a glimpse of their favourite soccer players and celebrate their achievements.
Of the Canada men’s national soccer team, six had Brampton roots.
Because of this and their successful FIFA run earlier this summer, players Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan Osorio, Liam Millar, Promise David and Jayden Nelson were recognized at Sunday’s ceremony.
Each received their very own soccer field, named after themselves. According to Mayor Patrick Brown, each field was selected with intention.
“Each field is connected to each player in terms of place they played when they were growing up in Brampton,” Brown explained to Now Toronto.
The ceremony follows the players’ FIFA run, with highlights including Larin’s historic equalizer, where he scored Canada’s first World Cup goal on hometown soil, as well as David scoring a highly applauded goal against Switzerland during the group stage.
While the players were not available for comment, Jayden Nelson’s mom, Cleo Bidal, was present, accepting the dedication on his behalf.
She told Now Toronto that the moment was surreal.
“I sometimes feel like it’s another child that I’m watching getting all of these accolades, and I’m just cheering for them,” Bidal said. “He’s worked hard, really hard, so he really deserved this moment, and I’m very, very excited for him.”
With the dedications, Brown said he hopes it inspires future soccer players in the city, with hundreds of young soccer fans attending Sunday’s event in hopes of meeting their idols and getting their autographs.
“It’s a special day for our city, and hopefully we inspire a new generation of soccer players,” he said.
It’s a sentiment Bidal shared.
“It’s great to see that the city of Brampton is doing this for the youths that are coming up,” she said. “It’s very motivating… and I hope to see all of these parks named [after] each of these wonderful soccer players that are coming up in the system.”
It was not announced where each soccer field would be located.
Larin receives the key to the city
Following the field renaming ceremony, the mayor, Larin, and his family headed over to Brampton City Hall, where he was also being honoured by Brown with the key to the city.
Along with a successful World Cup for Larin this year, he also represented the nation at 2022’s FIFA World Cup.
During the ceremony, speakers including Larin’s mother, his development coach, and his head coach shared their experience alongside the soccer pro.
Larin’s mother brought him to tears as she spoke about his passion for soccer, as he was raised in a single-parent home.
“The odds felt completely against him, but Cyle kept going, and through faith and the support of the community, we found a way forward,” Patricia Larin said.
Larin was presented with a custom jersey with the nickname Brampton Bagsman, which was a nod to his moniker in the British press, as well as the symbolic key to the city.
Following the presentation, Larin shared his gratitude toward his family, as well as Brampton, his city.
“This city is where my story began, and I know I didn’t make this trip alone,” he said.
“…This key may have my name on it, but this honour belongs to everyone who helped me along the way. I will always be proud to call Brampton my home.”
