Overview:
Djuny Théodore, Jr., 16, fled the Haitian soccer staff’s coaching camp in Spain, lacking a U-17 World Cup debut. The teenager reportedly hopes to earn extra in Europe as a substitute of returning to the membership circuit in Haiti.
Throughout Aquin, a commune in Haiti’s South Division, anybody who wanted to seek out Djuny Théodore, Jr., knew to search for the teenager on the native soccer area — whether or not within the afternoon, at evening or on weekends. The townsfolk started calling him tizè foutbol, Haitian Creole for ‘soccer obsessed,’ and shortly sufficient, scouts for Haiti’s nationwide under-17 soccer staff got here calling.
However after serving to Les Grenadiers earn their spot within the U-17 World Cup as a ahead and heading to the match in Doha, Qatar, Théodore was not on the sector for the kickoff in opposition to Egypt on Tuesday. Nor was he in Aquin.
Nobody is bound the place the 16-year-old is now after he snuck out of a coaching camp in Spain—reportedly to earn extra money for his household.
“This can be a large hit for Haiti. The entire nation would’ve gotten a lot pleasure watching him,” stated Buissereth Begory, proprietor of a soccer membership in Haiti that Théodore had joined for some time.
“I received’t be seeing what he used to do in entrance of me within the World Cup,” he lamented. “That’s very unlucky.”
Together with his disappearing act, Théodore joins an extended record of children and athletes who put promising futures in danger to raised assist their households financially. In Haiti, some boys go away college to work jobs in building or as motorbike taxi drivers. Others flee their teams throughout worldwide, cultural or skilled journeys. Nevertheless, few in current reminiscence have been at such a premier, high-profile degree after they selected to abscond.
Whereas Théodore’s timing has left the staff, followers, former colleagues and kin reeling, Théodore defined in a voice note that went viral that his mom Ynise Zephyr is the explanation he skipped out on the worldwide match.
“I didn’t go away soccer, however my mom wants me now,” he says within the message. “I’ve to discover a higher life for my household.”
Soccer as a way to an finish
The sentiment doesn’t shock anybody who knew Théodore in Haiti, and that he took on the position of serving to his household severely. His dad and mom have been separated and his father’s portray work got here too unsteadily to rely on. Luckily for Théodore, his expertise on the sector drew a lot curiosity – and money – from groups throughout Haiti.
“I knew his expertise, so I showered him with cash. I valued him as a result of I by no means wished to lose him,” stated Edmond Pierre Jr., proprietor of Ballon d’Or, an beginner membership in Miragoane. “The leagues are solely in the summertime however I gave him cash all 12 months spherical. I gave him cash each time I noticed him.”
Théodore performed for Bèl Kolòn in Fond-des-Blancs, a southern commune membership. Buissereth Begory, the proprietor of the membership, stated in the summertime of 2025 he paid Théodore for 3 video games upfront and made him signal a contract stating Théodore would reimburse the membership if he failed to indicate.
Each Pierre and Begory declined to specify how a lot they paid {the teenager}. Nevertheless, in keeping with gamers, golf equipment at that degree might pay $100 to $1,000 per recreation throughout the winter and summer time trip leagues, relying on their abilities, expertise and staff finances.
“Every time he talked to me on the telephone the very first thing he stated was ‘My mother, my mother, my mother. He loves his mom rather a lot.”
Edmond Pierre Jr., proprietor of Ballon d’Or soccer membership
Théodore was enjoying for Ballon d’Or in a recreation he tallied a purpose and an help this previous summer time when scouts with the Haitian Soccer Federation (FHF) noticed him. Quickly after, FHF invited him to the under-17 staff’s trials for the World Cup, which don’t pay gamers to take part.
Pierre stated Théodore advised him again in July, when the teenager was on the FHF coaching camp in Port-au-Prince, he wished to return to his mom.
“Every time he talked to me on the telephone the very first thing he stated was, ‘My mother, my mother, my mother,’” Pierre remembers. “He loves his mom rather a lot.”
Regardless of his obvious homesickness, Théodore’s potential to attain and his good ball management at camps in Haiti, Jamaica and Spain established him as a key participant. A task that can be unpaid.
Fleeing towards ‘a greater life’
Whereas Théodore’s star rose, so did his potential to earn extra, he apparently believed.
When {the teenager} acquired to Spain, an uncle in Europe helped him flee to France on Oct. 18 – supposedly to see if he may be a part of a membership there, in keeping with a number of individuals in Aquin who know Théodore’s household.
The individuals in Aquin who know the household advised The Haitian Times Théodore’s dad and mom condemned his determination after they discovered. On the town, many questioned why Théodore didn’t keep on with enjoying the World Cup matches, the place he may have impressed sufficient to earn a contract abroad.
“Once I say he is aware of play, he is aware of play,” stated one native, a media outlet employee who requested to stay nameless attributable to fears of retribution. “Possibly his household doesn’t know what they’ve of their arms. He’s a gold mine.”
Neither Haitian soccer authorities nor Théodore responded to requests for feedback on this story. Members of the family in Aquin couldn’t be reached to be interviewed.