Ismaël Koné shares wholesome Canadian story that made him love soccer
Although Ismaël Koné’s FIFA World Cup ended far earlier than he would’ve liked, he’s continued to inspire Canadians across the country.
The 24-year-old has won the hearts of Canadian soccer fans across the country after suffering a gruesome leg injury during Canada’s 6-0 rout of Qatar. Koné returned to the sidelines just a few days later on crutches to support the Canadian team as it continues its historic run.
Koné is one of seven players on Canada’s 26-man squad who weren’t born in Canada, but if it wasn’t for a little Canadian courtesy, he may have never become a soccer player.
In a first-person story published by The Players’ Tribune, Koné shared how a small act of kindness at a neighbourhood soccer field in Montréal more than 15 years ago helped shape his career and made him feel Canadian.
Hello! Bonjour! It’s Ismaël here.
Thank you for the words of support, and for making me feel a part of this.
Canada, this is for you. https://t.co/q4lNJ5rjzv
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) July 3, 2026
Koné says he was introduced to soccer as a kid, living in the Ivory Coast, but when he moved to Montréal in his youth, he was trying to fit in.
“One day I’m at the park, and some kids are talking about a football game that’s going on ‘like five minutes away.’ So I followed them over,” wrote Koné.
He ended up discovering a youth soccer game run by a local community program. At first, he watched from the sidelines before working up the courage to ask the woman in charge if he could play.
She told Koné that he had to be registered.
“I think I looked so sad hearing that, it’s like this lady could tell, ‘if this boy doesn’t get to play football soon, he might cry.'”
The woman in charge saw how disappointed the young Koné was, and she changed her mind. Then, after the game, she told a young Koné that he could have his mom sign him up so he’d be in the league.
This was the first time Koné played registered soccer in Canada.
“It was such a small moment, but I also think it’s a good example of what’s special to me about this country, and about football in this country,” he shared. “Canada is so much about welcoming people in, and it gave so much by welcoming my mom and me.”
Ismaël Koné was stretchered off after suffering a broken leg during Canada’s 6-0 rout of Qatar. (Simon Fearn/Imagn Images)
While hockey and basketball have traditionally had deep roots in Canada, interest in soccer has grown over the past two decades, with the men’s and women’s national team programs having reached multiple FIFA World Cups.
“I feel like my story, where I could have gotten turned away, but instead this lady was like, ‘Just grab a jersey… We’ll figure out the rest later,’ it’s a part of that,” he wrote.
Canada’s historic run continues on July 4 against their toughest opponent yet, Morocco. The game will kick off at 1 p.m EDT (10 a.m. PDT) from Houston.