On august 20th 2008 at the Sylvio Cator Stadium in Port-au-Prince, a devastating kick at the 77th minute of a discouraging game for the Haitian national team, allowed Frantz Bertin to mark a sumptuous goal and, more importantly, win the hearts of thousands of Haitians. Eager to display his beautiful showmanship and technique, midfielder of the Haitian national team since 2007, and eldest child of his family, Bertin has not yet won a title with his national team and the country he calls “land of his roots”, but he intends on changing this.  Having worn the uniforms of countless European Clubs, the Haitian footballer has his eyes set on winning a spot in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Frantz, tell us about your football beginnings?

I started playing football when I was five years old with my friends in the streets of Mont-Fermeil (93), in France. I spent five years there learning by instinct and by playing with the other children before joining my hometown club, US of MontFermeil, when I was 10. I was signed as an apprentice in a more professional environment.  My academic training with the club lasted approximately three years, after which I traveled to pursue my training while playing for AS Red Star 93. I was 13 and I played in this club for 3 years. My progression was very fast to the point that when I was 17, I was scouted by an Italian scout to train with Juventus of Turin.  There I spent three years as a player for the backup team and got to meet: Zidane, Thuram, Trézeguet, Del Piero, Davids,etc…
At 20, after three years with Juventus, I was still a backup, so I left to join the Racing Santander where I spent two years.  The first year I was part of the backup team, then for the second season I joined the 1st league team.  That season I played 15 games in the League, one of which was against Real Madrid and one against Barca de Ronaldo.

What does it means for you to play with the national team?

It is a tremendous honor to be chosen to be part of the national team – it is a great form of recognition for a player. Also, to defend the colors of my ancestral country has great importance for me. I may have been born in Paris, but I cannot forget that my roots are in Haiti and to play for the country is mind blowing.

What are your expectations for the Gold Cup? 

OOOH ! To get as far as possible in this competition.  My priority is initially to pass the first round and then rattle the games in the second round and see how it goes.
My dream is that we manage to make our way to the 2009 finals.

What is your opinion of the team?

I cannot really give you a rational opinion now.  We are working vigorously, we are still waiting on several players and until we see the whole team working as a whole, it is difficult to evaluate. Nonetheless, I am hopeful that we will have a great team.

Isn’t it a little late to have such expectations?

Personally, I am in good shape and I will do all that is in my power to win this great competition. Many of the other footballers on this team are driven by this same desire so I am confident that we will form a great team. 

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