Canadian PM gives a nod to Eustáquio ahead of the World Cup final | OneFootball

At the close of the World Cup, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted the national team’s historic campaign, which achieved unprecedented milestones in the tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, assuring that «the best is yet to come».

The head of government praised the team’s performance, which he said was an example of «resilience and grit», for proving that Canada «belongs on any pitch, against any team». Among the many moments he recalled, Carney mentioned Stephen Eustáquio.

«Canadians will talk for generations about our team’s performance on the pitch. The national team’s first-ever World Cup win; our first-ever win in the knockout stage and our first match in the round of 16. The team embodied resilience and determination. Jonathan David’s hat-trick. Ismael Koné’s injury, Nathan Saliba coming on to take a direct free kick, the goal and the celebration holding up Ismael’s shirt. Stephen Eustáquio’s winning goal in the 92nd minute against South Africa. Team Canada brought the country together, showing extraordinary character and proving to the world that Canada belongs on any pitch, against any opponent», he wrote.

«The excitement around the tournament was visible across the country, with hundreds of thousands of fans filling the streets of Vancouver, Toronto and other cities. The event was followed in stadiums, fan festivals, hotels, bars and homes, creating tens of thousands of jobs and generating lasting economic benefits», he also noted.

Looking to the future, Mark Carney said that the end of the World Cup represents «the start of a new chapter in Canadian football and sport». To build on this momentum, the government will move forward with the largest-ever investment in sport in the country: one billion dollars, equivalent to 870 million euros. The funds will be used to improve access to sports, modernise stadiums and local parks, and support talent development «from playground to podium».

Support is also planned for the Canada Soccer Training Centre, with the aim of establishing a permanent «home» for national football and ensuring that «the next Alphonso Davies or the next Christine Sinclair» have the opportunities they need. In closing, the prime minister urged fans to support local teams and the national side regularly, and not just every four years, stressing that «Canada’s football journey is only just beginning. The best is yet to come».

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.