MONTREAL 鈥� Back from his appearance at the Copa America, Canadian international Mathieu Choini猫re is focused on giving his best effort for CF Montreal 鈥� as long as he鈥檚 here.
The central midfielder's name is circulating in transfer rumours after he reportedly requested a trade from the club in May due to an impasse in contract negotiations.
鈥淚 am here in Montreal, I have a contract here, and I will continue to play my matches. If the coach calls on me, I will be there,鈥� Choini猫re said Tuesday at Centre Nutrilait, CF Montreal鈥檚 training facility.
鈥淔or now, I鈥檓 here and will give it my all.鈥�
GiveMeSport's Tom Bogert reported Monday that Choini猫re still wants out of Montreal and that plenty of Major League Soccer clubs are interested as the transfer window opens in North America.
The Canadian transfer period opened Friday, while United States-based teams can start making transactions Thursday.
Choini猫re, from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que, is under contract through the end of the season and Montreal holds a club option for 2025, but the homegrown talent who had a US$250,000 base salary last year appears to be seeking a raise.
The 25-year-old鈥檚 profile has grown in recent years, and weeks.
Choini猫re was named Montreal鈥檚 MVP last season after a breakout campaign of five goals and five assists in 28 MLS games. This year, he has two goals and three assists in 15 games.
He also played 90 minutes against world-class midfielders and scored in the shootout Saturday during Canada's 4-3 penalty kicks loss to Uruguay in the Copa America's third-place game.
Despite the rumours, Montreal head coach Laurent Courtois confirmed Choini猫re will play in his return from the Copa on Wednesday as Montreal (6-9-8) visits New York Red Bulls (9-4-10). Fellow Canadians Samuel Piette and Joel Waterman also rejoined the club this week.
Courtois said Choini猫re is an essential piece to his team.
鈥淗e wants to give everything for his club, and I need Mathieu, not only for his versatility but also for the mentality and identity we want to have here,鈥� Courtois said. 鈥淢athieu is indispensable to me.
鈥淣ow the player wants to get something to feel more valued, and at the end of the day we鈥檙e all the same right? You just want to be valued for what you give 鈥� and he gives a lot.鈥�
Choini猫re is open about eventually hoping to bring his talents to Europe.
鈥淚t鈥檚 my dream,鈥� he said. 鈥淥bviously I have a contract here, but yes, I鈥檝e always dreamt of Europe, the Champions League, and the highest level of soccer that I could play.鈥�
Canada coach Jesse Marsch paid a visit to Montreal鈥檚 training facility Tuesday.
Regarding Choini猫re and a possible move, Marsch described himself as an advocate for players transferring to Europe but cautioned what that could mean for playing time, using Stephen Eustaquio as an example.
Eustaquio, Canada鈥檚 vice-captain, started only 16 league games for Portugal鈥檚 FC Porto last season.
鈥淚 said 'look, being at Porto, it's a great club, but you've got to find a way to get on the pitch, you've got to play,鈥欌�� Marsch said. 鈥淚t's hard to be at the highest level possible with the national team if you're not playing consistent 90-minute games.
鈥淣ow, I think Mathieu has big potential in who he is as a player, and right now I still think he's in a good way improving here. And if the right situation comes up, it's up for him to evaluate and decide what's best, but again, players need to play.鈥�
Choini猫re joined Montreal鈥檚 academy in 2011, making his professional debut in 2018. He has 117 MLS appearances.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2024.
Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
