Growth of soccer in Quebec more real than ever after Ronaldinho visit

Manuel Cardenas

manuel@qctonline.com

On Jan. 19, soccer legend Ronaldinho left Quebec, leaving thousands of fans thrilled at the opportunity to have met him. Several partners of the event’s promoter, Groupe Performance, noted an unprecedented enthusiasm for the sport in the region.

One of the main objectives of his visit, as communicated by his representative, Nilton Leao, in November, was to announce the opening of an R10 futsal (indoor soccer) academy in Quebec. 

Although no official announcement was made during his visit, his agent promised an update on the project in the coming months. Karl Talbot, president of PHIT Canada and a partner of Groupe Performance, remains optimistic about the project’s realization.

“Personally, I believe it will happen, but we are entering a complex phase because agreements must be made between many different organizations. These are critical moments for the project, but it is very achievable – just like Ronaldinho’s return to the province! Many organizations are trying to bring him back, and we at PHIT Canada are also interested because his presence aligns with our core objective: to impact young people and motivate them to stay active,” said Talbot.

He also said he believes that the legacy Ronaldinho has left in Quebec is already highly significant for the new generation of soccer players.

“Many young people want to become the next Ronaldinho. He leaves a mark here by showing that he started from nothing and made it to the international level, inspiring them to believe they can do the same. I’m convinced that the thousands of young people he met will play soccer for years with great passion. His presence has a major impact – it transforms everything, even Quebec’s health-care system” by promoting physical activity, he said.

A Brazil vs. Canada Match Featuring Ronaldinho? During the events on Jan. 18 and 19, several sources linked to the R10 project and Groupe Performance mentioned plans for a futsal match that would coincide with Ronaldinho’s return. Despite slightly differing versions of events, three details remain consistent: it will be a futsal match, the two nations involved are Canada and Brazil, and it will be a match of legends.

Given the last factor, Ronaldinho’s representative did not deny the possibility of the former player lacing up his futsal shoes again.

“We’re working to ensure he makes an appearance in Quebec for this match, but I can’t confirm whether it will be on the field or elsewhere,” said Leao.

A Wave of New Initiatives in Québec?

Christian Gosselin, a member involved in the project from Groupe Performance, shared his optimism about the growing enthusiasm for soccer in the region and its future potential.

“With the feedback we’ve received from the Quebec public, I think it’s fair to say that soccer is ready to reach the next level here. We see national excitement with the performances of the Canadian national team. The sport is clearly evolving; we see it with the increasing number of licenses and organizations showing growing interest,” explained Gosselin.

Finally, another partner involved, Christian Prevost, who is also the president of the Soccer World Confederation, revealed an exclusive project underway in the region to harness the growing interest in soccer and futsal through the R10 project.

“What I can confirm is that the organizers of the same project for the legends’ futsal match between Canada and Brazil are working on something bigger. We’re talking about a continental and international tournament, like the Copa América and the World Cup of futsal, all of it happening in Quebec,” he concluded.