There are still a few weeks left to go before Haiti takes on Scotland at Boston Stadium (née Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough for the summer’s first local World Cup match. But the spirit of the game was already in the air Tuesday at the State House as the governor and other leaders celebrated a player with local ties who will be suiting up for Les Grenadiers.
Frantzdy Pierrot was born in Haiti but grew up in the Boston area and went to Melrose High School. And Tuesday was his day — literally — as Gov. Maura Healey declared it “Frantzdy Pierrot Day” in the commonwealth.
“I know I’m governor and I’m not supposed to be choosing sides, but let’s be honest. Today, I’m gonna say: ‘Vive Haiti,’” Healey said to cheers.
Many of the people in the crowd came with Haiti gear. The Melrose High marching band played as Pierrot made his entrance.
Boston City Council member Ruthzee Louijeune, whose family is from Haiti, said that Boston is also marking May 26 as Frantzdy Pierrot Day. She spoke in a mix of English and Haitian Creole.
“Frantzdy, I hope you can how proud the Haitian community here is of you,” Louijeune said. “Raised here in our commonwealth. And we are so proud of you.”
Pierrot said it was a special moment to receive the honor and recognition.
“Honestly, it’s hard to describe how I’m feeling right now,” he said. “Because when I look around this room, I think about where my journey started.”
He recalled playing barefoot in the streets of Haiti before his family came to the United States, and then having to start over.
Pierrot has played for pro clubs across the globe. Now, he’ll suit up at the World Cup. And he’ll be doing so right in his backyard.
“Many people doubted me and didn’t believe in me,” he said. “But that only gave me more motivation. Step by step, the dream that started barefoot in Haiti brought me to [the] Champions League and now the biggest stage in the world.”
Haiti will take on Scotland in the nation’s first men’s World Cup match since 1974 on June 13. (The women’s team qualified in 2023.) And Pierrot wants to make sure they don’t have to wait that long to make it back again.
“Haiti has always had potential but not enough opportunities. We cannot wait another 52 years to reach the world stage again,” he said. “The time is now to invest in our people, our football and the future of the next generation.”
