Bearing flags, banners, jerseys and scarfs, more than 200 supporters greeted the Montreal Impact’s first ever Designated Player Sunday night.
WATCH: A hero's reception for Di Vaio
After landing in Montreal around 8:12pm from London, Marco Di Vaio walked through the sliding doors at Trudeau airport around 9:10, accompanied by Impact present Joey Saputo and sporting director Nick De Santis.
The Italian forward made his way through the crowd with a big smile. He took some time to sign autographs, pose for several photos and shake hands with fans; most notably with members of the Montreal Ultras.
There were also many non-affiliated supporters on hand, singing and chanting as Di Vaio made his way onto Canadian soil. “Marco Di Vaio, Marco Olé” and “Marco Di Vaio, segna per noi” were heard several times before he finally made his way to the hotel with his family.
Despite being a rare occurrence in Montreal, this scene is still a familiar one as AC Milan visited Stade Saputo in June 2010. Ronadhino, Filippo Inzaghi, Clarence Seedorf and Pato were greeted like heroes by dozens of passionate and loud supporters.
This was the first time, however, that a member of the Impact received a similar welcome by Quebec supporters.
All those in attendance for the historic moment will have fond memories of Di Vaio’s arrival in Montreal.
The RDS cameraman went so far as to say that the reception compared to that of Jacques Villeneuve’s in 1997, following his F1 championship.
Di Vaio will be officially introduced to the media this afternoon at a press conference and may be able to don the Impact jersey for the first time on June 27.
If there are fans who still doubted the growth and level of MLS, they now know that first division soccer has arrived in Montreal.
Montréal, Montréal, Montréal Allez Allez!
