NEW YORK — Massachusetts Gov.
Maura Healey declared May 26 as Frantzdy Pierrot Day, honoring the Haitian striker— whose journey from playing barefoot in Haiti to competing on soccer’s biggest stage helped inspire Haiti’s return to the FIFA World Cup after 52 years.
Pierrot, who moved to Massachusetts from Haiti at age 11, was recognized during a proclamation ceremony Tuesday at the State House for his role in helping Haiti qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Standing here tonight is a special moment for me,” Pierrot said during the ceremony.
“I think about where my dream started.” “Step by step, a dream that started barefoot in Haiti brought me to the European Champions League and now to the biggest stage in the world,” he added before an audience largely composed of Haitian Americans.
A force in Haiti’s attack, Pierrot delivered key goals in World Cup qualifiers The 31-year-old forward played a key role in Haiti’s qualification campaign, recording two goals and one assist in 10 matches.
His most decisive moment came Nov.
14, when he scored the winning goal against Costa Rica in a crucial qualifier in Willemstad, Curaçao.
Pierrot redirected a low cross from winger Ruben Providence past Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas in the 75th minute, helping Les Grenadiers secure a vital victory as Haiti pushed toward its first World Cup appearance since 1974.
The Bas-Limbé native is Haiti’s third all-time scorer, with 33 goals in 49 international appearances so far, behind teammate Duckens Nazon, who has scored 44 in 80 matches, and the late legendary striker Emmanuel “Manno” Sanon, who scored 37 in 65 games.
Pierrot has continued contributing to Haiti’s national team after qualification, including an assist in a 1-1 draw against Iceland in....
