David to captain Canada at Gold Cup
Published
With Canada men's captain Alphonso Davies still recovering from a knee injury, Jonathan David will captain Canada to start this month's Gold Cup, sources told TSN on Thursday.
Program vice-captain Stephen Eustáquio is also set to depart the squad and join FC Porto for this month's FIFA Club World Cup. TSN has also been told that Eustáquio is expected to rejoin the squad for an anticipated prolonged Gold Cup run, and would take the captain's armband when he returns.
David is set for a big European move this summer, and that might mean the 25 year-old will lead Canada for the start of the CONCACAF tournament, but Canada's men's national team isn't sure if it will have David for the country's full run in the competition.
Napoli and Juventus are reportedly interested in securing David's signature, but, as TSN reported last week, Canada'a men's all-time leading goal scorer is still weighing his options.
Head coach Jesse Marsch could've also selected a captain from veterans like Celtic defender Alistair Johnston, veteran forward Cyle Larin, or Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio, all who were named to Canada's Gold Cup on Thursday. Nevertheless, David's elevated leadership role for Canada's last major tournament before the 2026 World Cup is not entirely unexpected.
Marsch has long praised David for this tactical intelligence and his full commitment to Canada's system. In his final season as Lille's starting striker, David scored 25 goals in a predominantly poacher's role; but with Canada, David is asked to be much more involved in the team's pressing and build-up play.
“I’ve advertised him often as the most intelligent footballer I’ve ever coached," Marsch said of David last November. "His ability to put things to practice, his ability to read in the game, what’s necessary. He’s really clever.”
And for months now, those close to David have told TSN the striker "wants to win the Gold Cup."
Canada's men will begin their pursuit of their first Gold Cup, and first tournament silverware, in 25 years on June 16 when they open their competition in Group B against Honduras inside BC Place. Canada will then travel to Houston to face Curaçao and El Salvador.
Before then, Canada will host Ukraine and Ivory Coast in the inaugural Canadian Shield tournament at BMO Field June 7 and 10.