12th-year pro. Overseas stops in Finland, Romania, Norway, Turkey, Israel, and Lithuania. Fourth highest all-time goalscorer for Canada's men's national team. 81 goals in 331 matches for club and country.
In this week's edition of Getting to Know, presented by GE Appliances, we hear from Tosaint Ricketts, who may have very well seen it all.
- Getting to know: Derek Cornelius
Who was your favourite soccer player growing up?
Thierry Henry.
If you weren’t a soccer player, what would you be?
I would probably be an entrepreneur, you know. I’m big into business and business management and the aspects behind that. So yeah, I’d definitely be a business guy. I’m working towards my Sports Management Masters, and I have aspirations in business post-career.
Who or what has had the biggest impact on you?
The biggest impact on my life would probably be my mom. Just her work ethic, her ability to balance taking care of four boys, as well as a career. She’s definitely my inspiration and the biggest influence in my life.
Do you have a favourite spot to hang out in Vancouver?
The area I live in, Coal Harbour. Nice area, quiet. You have the scenic views, and I feel like when I’m there, I can detach myself from the happenings around me.
Favourite TV show?
There’s a few. I would have to go with … can’t say Game of Thrones - the ending was terrible. Right now, Peaky Blinders is good.
What’s your most commonly visited website or app?
Well tosaintricketts.com! No? No. I’d probably say Instagram, and Business Insider. It’s good to see the up-to-date business trends around the world.
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Fuzzy peaches. I love fuzzy peaches! They’re so good.
Has anybody ever said you look like a celebrity? Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I get a lot. As my hairstyles change, obviously. Right now I’m getting Jimmy Butler because of the whole, you know, Bart Simpson look. So yeah, I guess Jimmy Butler’s playing me and 007, James Bond.
Are there any nicknames you’ve had through the years?
Sonic, from being fast. Also Flash, from being fast as well.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to go through in your life or career?
A bigger challenge in my career was not being paid on time. I ran into that on three different occasions. It’s rare for it to happen one time in a person’s career, but it happened to me three times. So that’s probably the biggest obstacle I’ve had to face in my professional career.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of my relentlessness. The path of my career wasn’t the easiest. It hasn’t been the most ideal in terms of locations and having to move and the reasons why. Not being paid and stuff like that. But it never really deterred my focus, or my drive. So my drive, I would have to say.
What’s your most treasured memory?
MLS Cup. Just accomplishing that goal of winning a championship. A lot of players don’t get to experience it. So I would say that is probably one of the most treasured moments in my career.
What song would you sing at karaoke?
Maybe Usher. Nice & Slow. Classic.
What’s something most people probably wouldn’t know about you?
My business aspirations. I’m big into business. My family owns Jamaican restaurants. I want to be a GM in the future. That’s probably what most people don’t know.
