‘See you at the World Cup’: Bombito staying upbeat, say Canada coach, teammates

Canada defender Moïse Bombito shoots in a penalty shootout the Copa America third place soccer match against Uruguay in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

MONTREAL — Jesse Marsch quickly picked up the phone to lift Moïse Bombito’s spirits after his latest injury setback.

Canada’s coach soon learned his top defender’s trademark positivity was still intact.

“He’s an incredible person, the way he handles it,” Marsch said. “You reach out to him to console him, and at the end of it, you almost feel like he’s consoling you — because of his positive energy and his belief in himself.”

Bombito’s teammates have noticed the same resilience.

“I texted him and I said, ‘Look, I’m really sorry to hear about your injury. I really was looking forward to seeing you,’” winger Liam Millar said. “All he sent me back was, ‘Bro, I’m good. I’ll see you at the World Cup.’

“That’s his mindset.”

Marsch had expected to welcome back both Bombito and Millar to the Canadian men’s squad during the October FIFA international window following lengthy injuries. Yet only Millar made the trip to Montreal ahead of Friday’s friendly against Australia at Stade Saputo.

Bombito fractured his left tibia in OGC Nice’s 2-2 draw at Monaco on Sunday in France’s Ligue 1, cutting short his return after four months out following wrist surgery and a tibia stress fracture.

The 25-year-old from Montreal emerged as a pillar of Canada’s defence at the Copa America last year, forming a breakout centre-back partnership with Marseille’s Derek Cornelius.

“Such a big piece of everything we do here,” Marsch said.

The head coach knew the injury was serious the moment Bombito went down. Medical scans revealed he would require the same treatment Canadian winger Tajon Buchanan received after breaking his leg last year, giving Marsch hope Bombito could return to full form with plenty of time to gear up for next summer’s 2026 World Cup.

“Tajon was back in four months,” Marsch said of the Villarreal CF winger. “So I don’t see any reason why Moïse, with his physique and youth and everything else, can’t be on the same timeline.”

“I live pretty close to him,” added the coach, who lives in Italy. “I told him I’ll see him soon and make sure that he’s taken care of. Maybe I’ll wheel him around or something, figure out how to help him out. But he’ll be good, he’ll be good.”

In Bombito’s absence, Canada could turn to Luc de Fougerolles, a 19-year-old who impressed while starting alongside Cornelius during the September window.

“He doesn’t play like a 20-year-old guy,” said Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau. “He’s very mature for his age … Defensively, he’s solid. He understands our principles very well.”

Millar, meanwhile, was on the pitch Tuesday at Centre Nutrilait, where CF Montreal trains, to kick off his first Canadian camp in a year.

The 26-year-old from Toronto returned to action for Hull City last week after 11 gruelling months recovering from a anterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee.

Staying positive throughout it, he said, was challenging at times.

“There was a time when everything just stood still and I wasn’t really seeing much improvement,” Millar said. “I worked my way out of it … I don’t know if I’ve ever worked harder in my life, and so now I feel really confident.”

“I’m just happy to be back with the guys,” he added following the rainy session. “Just trying to get back in with the group, get used to everything again, get used to the load, the guys, the feels, everything.”

Marsch wouldn’t reveal how he’d deploy Millar in the next two matches — Canada also plays Colombia on Oct. 14 in Harrison, N.J. — but said the winger hasn’t missed a beat.

“Sometimes when a guy comes back from a long injury like that, you’re not sure what he’s going to look like. He looked like old Liam,” Marsch said. “It’s great to have him back. He’s a big part of the personality of the team.”

Millar adds to Canada’s depth on the wing, where Marsch has several options in Buchanan, Vancouver Whitecaps standout Ali Ahmed and Nashville SC’s Jacob Shaffelburg.

“Competition is very healthy,” Millar said. “If you go into a team, and you know you’re going to play, sometimes the standard can slip off a little bit. Since I’ve been gone, I think Ali, in particular, has done really well. I think he’s really shown that he’s a great player.

“Shaf’s also done very well, but it only gives me more fuel to compete with these guys.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 7, 2025.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press