Canadian soccer players abroad continue to offer more and more hope for the nation’s team. During what is shaping up to be a golden generation for the country, it feels like Canadian soccer has a greater presence in European football than ever before. 

A new season brings new challenges, goals, and demands for the men of Canadian soccer — with a home World Cup around the corner and off the back of a successful Copa América run, the pressure is on for them to succeed like never before.

Here are some notable Canada Men’s National Team (CMNT) players to look out for as they play abroad and raise the bar of Canadian soccer.

Alphonso Davies 

The golden boy of Canadian soccer. I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that he is already the best Canadian men’s soccer player ever, even though he is only 23. Yet, there is still much for him to prove. 

Following a rough year for Bayern Munich, Davies missed out on the Bundesliga Team of the Season in the 2023–24 season for the first time since 2019. Under the new manager Vincent Kompany, Davies and the rest of the team are aiming to prove last year was a blip for the dominant force of German football. 

However, with his contract up at the end of the season and strong talks of a transfer, Davies’ future remains uncertain. There has been friction between Bayern Munich and Davies from them offering him an “ultimatum” over a new contract, which means it is more likely than not that he will eventually leave. 

The rumour mill points to a potential move to Real Madrid for free next summer, but with a World Cup on the horizon, Canadians hope for him to settle in any national club and prepare for a tournament on home soil.

Jonathan David 

As one of Europe’s most underrated strikers, David looks well-poised to continue his fine form, having scored 52 goals in his last two seasons and 87 in 190 games throughout the last three full seasons for Lille — putting him third in their all-time goal scorers.

However, the question remains: will he ever get a big money move? There has been talk for years of moves to the premier league, but it has yet to happen. Perhaps a strong Champions League will help persuade a buyer. 

Moïse Bombito 

Following a few years of learning his trade with the Colorado Rapids, Bombito secured a move to French side Nice for a club record transfer. This follows a breakout Copa América performance in which he started for every game of the tournament. Even at the young age of 24, a skeptic may suggest that Bombito does not have room for growth and may question if he can handle the jump from Major League Soccer (MLS) to European football. 

Given his strong Copa América achievements, anything is possible. If he can perform well in Ligue 1 as well as the UEFA Europa League, then CMNT manager Jesse Marsch will have a starting centre-back he can trust. 

Moïse Bombito chases down Belgian superstar Kevin De Bruyne. COURTESY OF HOSSEIN ZOHREVAND CC WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Ismaël Koné 

Koné’s last season at Watford in the English championship can be classed as fairly disappointing. For a team harbouring ambitions of promotion, finishing 15th can only be classed as a failure. Like Bombito, Koné will now be heading to France, wrapping up a €12.5 million British pound move to Marseille.

Going from Watford to one of France’s biggest and most pressured teams is quite a step up, and the fact that he has yet to be involved in any games for them may worry some. However, Koné is only 22 and has plenty to learn. Under the guidance of manager Roberto De Zerbi, who proved at Brighton & Hove Albion that he can handle young talent, there is still cause for plenty of optimism around the young midfielder. 

Derek Cornelius 

Also moving to Marseilles, we have Derek Cornelius who was also an ever-present member of the Canadian charge at the Copa América. Following spells in Europe’s smaller leagues and the MLS, Cornelius has finally moved into a major European league — and he has started well. 

It’s only the early days at Marseille, but Cornelius seems to be getting the opportunities to flourish and break out as a top-quality centre-back. Like Bambito, Cornelius is joining the major European leagues fairly late at the age of 26, so the pressure is on for him to adapt. But, any experience for Cornelius will be valuable for the next World Cup.

Special mention: Dapo Afolayan 

While he may not be Canadian, Afolayan is a Varsity Blues alumnus and warrants more than a mention. Following his spell for the Blues a decade ago, he has developed an unconventional Jamie Vardy-esque CV, as he moved up through the English lower leagues. 

After spells in the non-league, a move to West Ham United that didn’t work out, and a lengthy run at perennial underachievers the Bolton Wanderers, he found himself playing for a German side, St. Pauli. He was then an influential member of the team that won the second German division, following nine goal contributions in 31 games. So far, he has started both Bundesliga games this season for St. Pauli — meaning that the man who once rejected Chelsea to pursue a degree in civil engineering is finally getting recognition for his talents. 

Had I sat down to write this article 10 years ago, chances are I wouldn’t have gotten very far, as very few Canadians were playing in Europe. This piece is a testament to how far our nation’s soccer has come and that there is now so much to be excited about; an excitement that will only grow with time.