If it isn’t hockey, a young Canadian is playing soccer, as the sport is growing. However, only a select few go pro.
Some young Canadian soccer players who do go pro stay in MLS or the CPL, while others go to Europe. But the best honour any soccer player can have is being called up for their national team at the professional level.
This is the golden age for the Canadian men’s national team. Jesse Marsch helped lead the team to a fourth-place finish at last year’s Copa America, and the likes of Moise Bombito and Jacob Shaffelburg took their games to new heights. Bombito and Derek Cornelius were among the names that moved to bigger clubs.
It wasn’t that long ago that Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David were seen as promising young prospects and the future of Canadian soccer. Now, they are the faces of the men’s team.
However, it is always fun to think about the future. In the golden age of Canadian Soccer, many young Canadians are vying for shots at the national team. There are a bunch in MLS, the CPL, USports or in the NCAA. But there are also plenty playing in Europe, which is very refreshing.
Marsch has been very adamant about developing more young talent. Here are three of the young Canadians to watch out for in 2025. Of course, there are many others, but these three stand out.
#1: Promise David, Striker, Age 23
Let’s start with a player who has yet to be capped by Canada.
Not related to Jonathan, Promise was born in Brampton to Nigerian parents and played for Toronto FC’s academy before moving to Vaughn Azzuri in League 1 Ontario. David already has experience in Europe with stints with Malta’s Valletta and Estonia’s Nõmme Kalju.
After a ton of interest from multiple clubs around the world, David signed for Belgian club Union SG in August of 2024.
So far, David has mostly been coming off the bench. But he has nine goals and two assists all season. The 23-year-old already has some silverware this season as Union Saint-Gilloise beat Club Brugge in the Belgian Super Cup in August.
David is a very promising (pun totally intended) player. He has great poaching skills, hold-up play and is strong on the ball.
With the way his form is right now, it won’t be a surprise if David gets called up for Canada sometime soon.
Dieu-Merci Michel, Age 20
Here is another young Canadian who is a dual national and a striker. (But he can also play any forward position) It is also possible he could get called up in 2025 or beyond.
Dieu-Merci Michel is a 20-year-old striker who plays in Portugal for Vitória de Guimarães. He rose through their youth ranks and made his debut for the first team on December 23 with Nacional.
This past Sunday, Michel scored his first professional goal in a draw with league leaders Sporting Lisbon.
Michel was born in Montreal but eventually lived in Calgary and Edmonton. In Calgary, Michel and his parents slept on the floors of boxing gyms.
In 2014, the family moved to Edmonton, where Michel played youth soccer with Edmonton BTB SC. He later played with the St. Albert Impact and Victoria Highlanders.
After training with numerous clubs including Pacific FC, FC Edmonton, Club Brugge and even Bayern Munich, Michel signed for Vitória in 2022.
He is a quick striker who also is good in the air and positions himself in the right areas.
He may not get a call-up for Canada in 2025 but is definitely one to watch. Let’s see if he is given more opportunities with Vitória.
Nathan Saliba, Midfielder, Age 20
This young Canadian has already gotten a call-up.
Nathan Saliba currently plays for CF Montreal and came up through their academy. He was an integral part of CF Montreal’s push for the postseason in 2024, but they lost on penalties to Brad Guzan and Atlanta United in the wild-card game.
At just 20 years old, Saliba is already a part of CF Montreal’s midfield. As an eight, he is good at through balls and creating turnovers. He also isn’t afraid to shoot from distance.
Saliba got his first Canada cap in a September 2024 friendly against the United States. Surely, that is the first of many.
Saliba was also named the 2024 Young Men’s Player of the Year by Canada Soccer
If he progresses with CF Montreal, a move to Europe could be on the cards for the native of Longueuil, Quebec.
Sooner or later, these three may get regular callups for Canada.
