Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Team Canada’s locker room to share words of encouragement with the players after Ismaël Koné fractured his leg during the game against Qatar on Thursday.
Carney was at B.C. Place on Thursday to watch the team face Qatar in its second World Cup match, which ended with a historic 6–0 win for the home team.
Read More
A frightening moment changes the game
Although the match was marked by an enthusiastic fan atmosphere and the team’s first ever victory in the global tournament, the energy of the game shifted as central midfielder Koné got seriously injured in the second half.
Canada’s No. 8 suffered a tackle by Qatar’s Assim Madibo at the 52nd minute mark, and was carried out of the game with a visible injury on his left leg, while waving at the crowd. Meanwhile, Madibo received a red card, leaving Qatar with only nine players in the field.
After the match ended, Team Canada’s coach Jesse Marsch said he saw the injury happen in front of the bench, and could “hear the bones snap.”
“I knew it right away. It was similar to when Tajon [last name] got hurt in training. It was right in front of us and everyone could hear the bones snap,” he told reporters after the game.
“Your heart goes out to him, and everybody is a little shaken by the whole experience, because of the nature of the injury, and also because Ismael is a big part of the heart of the team.”
At the time, Marsch revealed Koné was taken to the hospital along with family and would undergo surgery.
On Friday afternoon, TSN Commentator James Duthie revealed that Marsch has said top surgeons at Vancouver General Hospital operated on Koné on Thursday night.
‘Your brotherhood is everything to me’: Koné writes after injury
On Friday morning, Koné made an Instagram post following the injury, suggesting he is trusting his faith and thanking fans for the support.
“You can’t even imagine how grateful I am to everyone who reached out and that has me in their prayers. I thank god for that because not everyone is this fortunate,” he said.
He also dedicated the message to his Team Canada peers and coach for the support, and said he “will be back very soon” with them.
“I wanted you to know that I love you guys from the bottom of my heart and our brotherhood is everything to me. What you guys did yesterday will stay with me forever,” he added.
The player did not share any updates on his condition.
Carney praises Canada’s response
In a video posted by the team’s official account, Carney appeared visiting the players in the locker room, and sharing words of encouragement with the roster after the game.
The prime minister said the moment revealed the character of Koné and the rest of the team, given how they reacted after the injury, and kept the momentum going to win the game.
“It’s in moments like that, that you see character…[Koné] applauds the fans coming off, he shakes the hands of the Qataris coming off,” he said.
“[Nathan] Saliba comes on, steps up, scores. You hold up his jersey, and you celebrate…You showed a level of character that some people never achieve in their life, and you showed it when the entire country and a good part of the world is watching.”
The prime minister finished by congratulating the team on behalf of Canadians, and said he “couldn’t be prouder as a Canadian.”
Bigger than one result
Canada’s emphatic victory significantly improved its chances of reaching the knockout rounds, but for many players and supporters, Thursday’s match will be remembered for more than the scoreline.
It was a night that showcased Canada’s growing stature on the world stage. And judging by the messages from teammates, coaches and fans, Koné won’t be facing the road back alone.
