By: Maximiliano Reyes
The stadium lights may shine brightest on matchday, but the foundation of a professional career is built years earlier, in homes, communities, and cultures that shape identity.
In the cases of Kobi Henry, Zavier Gozo, Ariath Piol, and Victor Olatunji, those roots extend far beyond the game itself.
Deeply Rooted in Values
Henry traces his foundation back to his Trinidadian heritage. He describes the culture as one built on pride, community, and togetherness. “No matter who it is, everyone feels like family,” he explained. That sense of belonging, shaped by his Caribbean upbringing, became a constant as his life and career carried him across different states and environments.
For Gozo, his roots run through West Africa. With a father from Ivory Coast, African culture shaped not only his identity but his life perspective as well. “It made me more grateful for what I have now,” he reflected, noting how respect for family continues to guide his decisions and actions.
Piol’s roots trace back to South Sudan. He speaks about a culture grounded in family bonds and perseverance, values that he believes connect Black communities worldwide, whether African American, Caribbean, or African. “Those values,” Piol noted, “have put me in good stead.”
Olatunji’s roots are inseparable from resilience. Growing up Nigerian, he learned early about discipline and belief from his family. “You need to try your best to be whoever you want to be,” he emphasized. That mindset helped shape both the player and the person he is today.
Seeing Themselves
Representation mattered early.
A defender by trade, Henry still drew inspiration from attackers like Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o. They didn’t play his position, but their confidence, presence, and pride on the world’s biggest stages left a lasting impression. “Seeing a Black person with so much confidence in such a big role, that inspired me,” Henry shared.
For Gozo, that inspiration is deeply personal. His middle name, Didier, comes from Didier Drogba, a nod to the Ivorian legend his father admired. “My dad named me after him,” Gozo said with a smile. The example was set early.
Piol admired Drogba and Eto’o as well, studying not just who they were, but how they played. Their physicality, dominance, and presence mirrored how he envisioned his own game. “That’s where I got my inspiration from,” he affirmed.
Olatunji points to a lineage, Romelu Lukaku, Drogba, Eto’o, players who set standards. “They reached a high point,” he explained. “Now, growing up, we’re aspiring to be like them.”
Challenges Along the Way
The path wasn’t identical for everyone, but it was never simple.
Henry’s experience varied by environment. Sometimes he felt completely at home, other times less so. “It depended on the state I was in,” he recalled. That adaptability became part of his growth.
Gozo acknowledged that while challenges exist beyond the game, soccer itself was a space where he felt evaluated by performance rather than skin color.
Piol’s experience was more direct. He recognized moments where opportunity felt uneven, where nationality or race influenced chances. “It helped me persevere and be resilient,” he said. “That’s what got me here.”
For Olatunji, challenges became fuel. Coming from a Black community meant understanding he had to give more, 120 percent, to stand out. “It shaped me in a way that pushed me to focus and do better,” he shared.
Branches Forward
Now professionals, all four players understand that their journeys don’t end with them.
Henry is intentional about how he carries himself on and off the field, aware of who’s watching. “I know there are young Black kids looking up to me,” he said. His goal is to move with confidence and pride, never hiding who he is.
Gozo hopes his career reflects authenticity. “Being myself and being the best version of me,” he explained, “that’s how I want to inspire the next generation.”
Piol wants young players to see pride in heritage as strength. “Anything’s possible,” he emphasized. “We’ve come a long way, and there are more opportunities now.”
Olatunji hopes his story becomes a reference point, proof of what’s possible. “One day we’ll look back,” he said, “and my story will have inspired people to do better than what I’ve done.”
From Roots to Branches
Black History Month honors legacy, and legacy lives forward. Their roots hold firm in heritage and sacrifice; their branches stretch beyond the stadium lights.
They step onto the field carrying history behind them and a future they are helping shape ahead of them.
