😢 STEPHEN EUSTÁQUIO, 29, WORE THE CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND AND THE WEIGHT OF TWO ABSENCES.
His mother Esmeralda died of brain cancer in April 2023. Stephen found out in the middle of an FC Porto match and had to leave the field. Thirteen months later, his father Armando — who had worked on ferries between England and France to finance his son’s dream — collapsed from a heart attack at 55, the victim of a misdiagnosis. Two parents. Less than a year and a half. The same son both helped go far.
On June 28, 2026, in the 90+2 minute, that same son pounced on a rebound inside the box and buried the ball in the lower left corner. 1-0 against South Africa. Canada into the World Cup round of 16 for the first time in its history. 🍁⚽ Eustáquio broke down in tears. Everyone knew who he was dedicating that goal to. Coach Jesse Marsch described him as “the most mentally mature and clear-headed person on the team”. Today it is clear why. 💪