In 20 years, when the soccer community will look back on the final home game of the 2013 season at Stade Saputo, we’ll remember that one of the world’s greatest soccer players of all-time played for the Montreal Impact.
Prior to kickoff, Impact president Joey Saputo presented Nesta with a painting depicting a typical Montreal scene and a video highlighting his career was played on the big screen.
“I love this city. Maybe in the future, we'll meet again.”
- Alessandro Nesta
“Thank you for the great experience,” he said after Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Union. “Everyone was so nice to me leading up to the game. Thank you to the fans, to Joey Saputo and Nick De Santis for everything they did for me and my family.”
“This club has the right mentality. Everyone wants to win. The players may change but the club has an idea of where it wants to go and it has a bright future.”
Nesta brought a wealth of experience, along with a winning mentality that helped both on and off the pitch.
One just needs to look at how he limped off the field in Saturday’s final home game of 2013 to understand what type of competitor Sandro is, refusing to be stretchered off after suffering an injury in the 89th minute.
“Unfortunately, during my career, I was forced off the pitch on a stretcher on a few occasions and I wasn’t going to be forced off when I can walk, especially in what could be my last game.”
Nesta has made it clear that he eventually wants to coach… just not right away.
“ This club has the right mentality. It has a bright future. ”
- Alessandro Nesta
“Once the season is over, I’m going to join my family in Miami. We are expecting our third child, so for the next little while, my job is as father. Three kids are too much!” he joked.
And when asked if he’d ever return to the Impact in another capacity, he answered.
“I love this city. Maybe in the future, we’ll meet again.”
