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Get to know OUA Rookie of the Year: Matteo de Brienne
(Courtesy: @matteodebrienne/Instagram)

Get to know OUA Rookie of the Year: Matteo de Brienne

OTTAWA, Ontario — On Thursday, Nov. 11, the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) released its 2021 award winners for the most valuable players and its all-star team. Unsurprising to Raven fans, coaches and his teammates, rookie midfielder Matteo de Brienne has been named 2021 OUA East Rookie of the Year. De Brienne put together a strong season for the Carleton Ravens, tallying seven goals, including an impressive hattrick on Oct. 29 in a playoff-clinching game against Trent University.

De Brienne’s name has been buzzing through OUA sports and Twitter before winning the award due to one of his viral goals which was an absolute screamer. His viral moment came when he smacked a volley in full stride from outside the 18-yard box past the keeper using his weak foot. This long shot is still the talk of the town and is considered the goal of the year by most OUA fans.

De Brienne, born on May 22, 2002, is one of the youngest players on his university team but has been going up against top-level competition for years. The midfielder from Nepean, Ontario, started his academy career as a Vancouver White Caps Academy player in August 2016 when he made the most out of a tryout after failing to make a team for the first time in his life.

Many people don’t know de Brienne’s name has been on the radar since he was 11. In 2013, he was invited by the Dallas Texans to attend trials with Real Madrid Academy in Spain which is arguably the most prestigious football club in the last 30 years.

De Brienne did not make the team but being recognized by scouts in Spain quickly gave him the confidence that he was the best player in the country and he hasn’t stopped thinking that way since. Just a few years later, he would go on to win the championship title in the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL). De Brienne concluded the season with a total of 44 goals in 20 games.

De Brienne currently plays professionally for Manitoba FC of the Canadian Premier League after transferring from Atlético Ottawa where he can earn a professional salary and attend school at the same time.

Fans are still questioning the move to go pro and move away from the Vancouver White Caps. The MLS academy has been known to have a better development system, being a league that has been long in existence. Many players who play in MLS for the most part have been fortunate enough to make their way to Europe, de Brienne’s lifelong dream.

However, he is a firm believer that playing in a professional league with and against adults is better suited to help him get to Europe than playing in a youth team waiting to get called up to the big leagues.

Personal

De Brienne’s mother and sisters have been the biggest influences in his life. Before every game, he recites his mother’s mantra, “Play hard, play smart, play like a leader.” His father was his first coach, teaching him the fundamentals from the ages of U4-U7.

His favorite team is Barcelona in Spain’s La Liga. His favorite player is the Argentinian star, Lionel Messi. He dreams of playing against his idol one day. After all, who’s to say he did not tank his tryout out with Real Madrid to one day play with Messi?

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.