- ttsportdiary
From Gasparillo To The UEFA Champions League
Updated: Aug 26, 2021
FC Sheriff has qualified for the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League.
It's official, twenty-two-year-old T&T national Keston Julien will feature in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League after his FC Sheriff defeated Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League Playoffs moments ago. Sheriff won the first leg 3-0 and the second leg which was played today, ended goalless. Julien did not feature in today’s leg as the left-back has been experiencing some discomfort in his hamstring so his team decided to rest him and not risk losing him for the Group Stage. He is the first player from Trinidad and Tobago to reach this milestone since Khaleem Hyland and Genk in the 2011-2012 edition.
Julien’s football career began with Gasparillo Youths Football Club (amateur) but his professional journey began with the Savonetta Boys, W. Connection in 2016. Years later, after signing his first overseas contract with Slovakian Club AS Trencin, he moved across to FC Sheriff in August 2020 where his contract expires in June 2023. As you guys may be imagining right now, this must be a totally surreal feeling since The Champions League is what almost every youth in the sport dreams to play in. “ Yes, (it’s a) crazy feeling knowing where I come from as a player and a person.” Julien Told T&T Sport Diary.
This is the first time that the Moldovan Club has made it to the Group Stage of the Champions League and the left-footer, who has started all seven qualifying games, described a very light mood in the camp. “Yes the mood is really good among the players and coaches. I also remember the coach telling us in January that he will take us to the Champions League this year.” Well boy did he deliver on that promise.
While this news serves well for Julien personally, it also augers well for Trinidad and Tobago football in its entirety to have a local playing at the highest level of club football in the world. “I think it’s important because we get exposure and also put Trinidad on the map. We have good players but most times (they)get over looked.”
The UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw will take place this Thursday 26th at midday and of course we’d love to know who Julien would hope to compete against at this elite level. “I will like to play against Manchester United because it’s my favourite team but every team is top in Champions League so it does not matter to me.” Yes! We love the idea of seeing this humble South Boy battle with the likes of young English superstar Mason Greenwood.
Good luck Keston!