The Story So Far
The concern hasn't entirely lifted. Star defender Moïse Bombito started for Canada in Monday's international friendly against Uzbekistan at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium but left the pitch at halftime walking gingerly, his left leg bundled in ice—the same leg he fractured in October 2025 while playing for Nice in France's top flight.
The Canadian men's national team quickly clarified there is no fresh injury. Bombito's 30-minute shift and subsequent substitution were planned, according to team staff, citing the rainy and wet conditions at Commonwealth Stadium as a factor in the carefully managed return.
The record does not need much decoration; it already does the talking.
The Stakes In Plain Sight
Bombito, 26, logged his first game action for the national team since suffering that broken tibia eight months ago. He slipped early while defending an Uzbekistan breakaway, then cleared the ball with a sliding effort shortly after. Canada claimed a 2-0 victory.
Post-match, Bombito was seen walking with his teammates without a limp and no visible ice on the leg. He told reporters he had exactly 30 minutes in him for the night and felt sore.
The Next Question
The Montreal native has accumulated 19 caps for Canada since debuting in 2023. His return timeline now joins a growing list of unknowns for the squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup—Alphonso Davies jogging casually at the stadium is not a full clearance, and Marcelo Flores was lost to a ruptured ACL over the weekend.
Canada closes its pre-tournament schedule against Ireland in Montreal on Friday.