Canadian soccer star makes Barça plea

Born in Brooklyn, raised in Haiti, and trained in Canada, Jonathan David has become the centre of attention in the football world after publicly expressing his love for Barcelona—a club he has always dreamed of playing for.

His dream could become a reality in June 2025 when his contract with Lille expires, provided the LaLiga side’s sporting management approves. As of now, David has no intention of renewing his deal with Lille.

An intelligent forward with sharp instincts in the box and a diverse skill set, David has truly come into his own this season at Lille.

While he has been linked with major Premier League clubs in recent years, he has taken a significant step forward in the Champions League—a prime stage to catch the eye of top sporting directors across Europe.

David unveils Barcelona ‘dream’

The Canadian striker has delivered standout performances this season, scoring against Real Madrid, netting a brace against Atlético Madrid, and finding the back of the net against Juventus on the final matchday.

With 13 goals in 19 matches across all competitions, David is arguably in the best form of his career. He has refined his movement in the penalty area and shed doubts about his ability to perform in high-stakes matches—a key reason why he has yet to move from Ligue 1 to one of Europe’s top four leagues.

Now, after dismantling three of Europe’s best teams in the Champions League, his situation has changed dramatically.

Lille, despite their best efforts to renew his contract and avoid a significant financial loss, seem resigned to his departure. All signs point to David leaving as a free agent in 2025, likely with a substantial signing bonus, to join a top European club.

Barcelona is among his potential suitors. In an interview with The Athletic on Monday, David declared his admiration for the Catalan club.

“It was always the team I grew up with. When you grow up supporting a team, your dream is to play for them.” These words came from the former Gent player, whom Lille signed in 2020 for over $30 million after lengthy negotiations to replace Victor Osimhen.

Over four years in northern France, despite early struggles, David has amassed an impressive 97 goals in 102 matches. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to make a difference in and around the penalty area, coupled with remarkable composure in front of goal. The doubts surrounding his performance in crucial matches are now a thing of the past, making him one of the most coveted players heading into the next summer transfer window.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.