Canadian defender Moise Bombito has revealed that a conversation with national team coach Jesse Marsch led him to make the decision not to miss the upcoming FIFA World Cup hosted in Canada, despite his ongoing physical struggles. Bombito, a 26-year-old center back, is scheduled to undergo surgery on his left tibia once again, as confirmed by his club team Nice. The Ligue 1 outfit in France disclosed that the Montreal native was experiencing persistent pain, prompting further examination and the eventual recommendation for surgery.
In a translated interview with Nice, Bombito shared, “I’m in discussions with the national team coach, who informed me of the urgency of my presence and the positive progress in my recovery, hinting at the possibility of my participation in the World Cup, to be held in my hometown in front of my loved ones. Without hesitation, I committed to being there to support and represent my country, despite the conflicting signals from my leg.”
Following his initial tibia fracture on October 5, Bombito managed to return in time to feature for Canada during the recent summer competitions. Despite playing in three out of five matches, with two starts, including a full 90-minute appearance in the round-of-16 victory against South Africa, Bombito acknowledged pushing through with notable discomfort. The towering six-foot-three defender admitted struggling during the knockout stage match against South Africa.
Expressing his disappointment, Bombito remarked, “It’s a significant setback, but somewhat anticipated as I strived to demonstrate my commitment and contribution to the team over the past month. However, it was evident to all that I was not performing at my best due to the lingering tibia issue. It’s a challenging situation, but I am determined to overcome it.”
Despite experiencing persistent discomfort and pain upon his return to Nice, Bombito initially hesitated to undergo surgery, opting to assess the necessity alongside the club’s coaching and medical personnel by the end of August. Describing his constant pain during physical activities, Bombito likened it to an “electric shock” with each step, emphasizing the mental toll it has taken over the past year.
Having joined Nice in 2024 following his tenure with Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids, Bombito enjoyed a successful debut season with 35 appearances, primarily as a starter. However, his subsequent campaign was marred by injuries, limiting him to just two games.