This is the latest installment of We Are TFC. Every week, we’ll sit down with one of the Reds and help you get to know them a little bit better, on and off the field. This week, Devang Desai chats with Clement Simonin. The French defender has been battling his way back from injury and played the full 90 minutes for Toronto FC II last weekend. We hope you’ll enjoy this series and let us know which TFC players you’d like to see profiled in the future.
Take a look at your phone, what photo to you means the most and why?
SIMONIN: These are two of my nephews – I have three but one is missing in the picture. I always look at this picture because they grew up so much and the fact that I’m not there to see them grow is tough but every time I go home, that’s a pleasure and it brings me a lot of happiness to see them.
What do you miss the most about back home?
SIMONIN: Family, friends and food. They’re all fabulous.
What’s the go to French dish that you crave?
SIMONIN: Raclette, a dish from the mountains. It’s melted Swiss cheese, potatoes and meat. It’s fabulous.
How much did Damien Perquis and Benoit Cheyrou help you in adjusting to becoming a professional?
SIMONIN: They helped me a lot because they’re very good role models so I try to take a lot from them and I sure did. It helped me a lot and in the meantime, I helped them translate from French to English and vice versa, so we’re pretty complimentary.
If you weren’t a soccer player, what would you be doing?
SIMONIN: That’s a question that I’ve asked my whole life. I don’t think I could give you an answer for that but I guess I would try to work in soccer.
When you were drafted you were getting ready to do your MBA...
SIMONIN: It all changed in one day. It was crazy but it’s been for the best because I get to do the thing that I love doing the most so I was very excited for that change, for sure.
Who is your favourite soccer player and why?
SIMONIN: I would say Pedro Pauleta. He’s my favourite because he played for Paris Saint-Germain, which is my favourite team and he was the best player on that team when they weren’t doing so good and he was the only one that gave me goosebumps when I was watching him play. I actually shed a few tears when he retired a few years back so that’s the only player that gave me those kind of emotions.
What are your thoughts on new manager Unai Emery with PSG so far?
SIMONIN: I think PSG is going to do well this year, it wasn’t a very strong start but I am confident in them. They should be better soon.
When you’re not playing soccer, what are you doing?
SIMONIN: I love playing FIFA. I’m a big FIFA guy and mostly watch shows on Netflix.
What's your go-to team to win?
SIMONIN: Lyon – they have a special type of play that I like, better than PSG or any other team.
I stopped playing online because everyone kept playing the same team every time...
SIMONIN: (laughs) you should add me online.
What’s your plan for the off-season?
SIMONIN: A little bit of travel just to get away from the city and have a little time off but the plan is to probably go home and work. Do all the workouts and all the running/off-season stuff at home because I have a lot of catching up to do since I had two years where I was injured and also to be close with my family.
Do you have any quirks or superstitions before the game? Something that you have to do before the game?
SIMONIN: Always put my left sock and left shoe on first.
How would people close to you describe you in one word?
SIMONIN: I’d say calm. I never panic in any situation – both on and off the field.
Were you always like that?
SIMONIN: Yeah, I’ve always been calm. It’s hard to explain.
Favourite movie?
SIMONIN: Forrest Gump. Hands down.
Favourite music artist? Or an artist you’re listening to?
SIMONIN: Ginuwine (laughs) R&B.
Favourite moment with TFC so far?
SIMONIN: I haven’t had a lot of moments since I’ve been injured but my first pro game last year against Real Salt Lake was a big one. The first one is always a big one. It was a big moment. Also the game against Seattle was great. This crowd, and coming back from injury, was something special because I witnessed my first MLS game in Seattle a year before that so it was a pretty nice sign from destiny.
TFC was missing a lot of players in that Seattle match. What was it like to play in such a tough environment with a lot of untested guys?
SIMONIN: It was just fun, you know? We knew what we were supposed to do and we were going to get the best of the game, especially in a set up like that, there’s not many atmospheres in MLS like Seattle so it was a special moment for sure.
Who is the funniest player on the team?
SIMONIN: Josh Williams. He’s a funny guy. There’s also Danny Lovitz and Jozy Altidore, who are pretty funny too.
One day last year I came to the KIA Training Ground via the TTC and you were using it as well. Now I hear you’re getting rides from Danny Lovitz…
SIMONIN: Yeah I actually moved in with him, so it’s a bit more convenient now. I think I got over the TTC a little bit, I’m not taking it too much. I upgraded a bit (laughs).
When I say Toronto, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
SIMONIN: Busy place and very multicultural. That’s what I like about this city, you can find everything you want from anywhere in the world.
Who are your heroes in life?
SIMONIN: I would say my parents. They always gave me what I needed to be who I am today. Whatever I’ve done in my life, I owe it to them because they always put me in the best situation and the best position to reach my dream so I respect that a lot because it wasn’t easy.
What is your ultimate goal in life?
SIMONIN: Just to make my family proud, that’s my biggest goal for me. If I make them proud, I think I’ve done the best I can. If I make them proud, it’s the best for me because it’s the most important thing for me; it means I succeeded. Also I would like to be a family man one day, so we’ll see.
