What Toronto soccer fans are saying about Sebastian Giovinco’s exit
Sebastian Giovinco was, almost without question, the best thing that ever happened to Toronto FC. His arrival in 2015 sent a jolt of energy through the club, propelling Toronto’s once-sad professional soccer team to the MLS Playoffs three seasons in a row, ending in an MLS Cup victory in 2017. Dubbed the “atomic ant” by fans because of his short stature, Giovinco was Toronto’s leading goal scorer, as well as the city’s first true soccer superstar.
And now he’s leaving. Last week, Toronto FC sold Giovinco to Al-Hilal, a Saudi Arabian club, after failing to negotiate a contract extension with him. Sportsnet reports that Giovinco will be getting $11.5 million (U.S.) per year in his new home, which is good for him—but not so great for Toronto fans, who are understandably unhappy with the sudden change to their team’s lineup. Here’s what some of them had to say.
Giovinco, or “Seba,” has already landed in Riyadh, according to the official Al-Hilal Twitter account:
“Seba” has arrived ?#AlHilal_Snap bring you the best ??..
Follow us ?? https://t.co/V0ZOU0aQVC pic.twitter.com/wtUI6EetCM— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) February 4, 2019
Making this user’s plea too little, too late:
Save @SebaGiovinco
Shut down the airports! Dont let him out! #tfc— stassinakis (@stass13) January 28, 2019
Broadcaster Greg Brady bemoans all the sports legends who have left Toronto in the past year:
I've been in Toronto 12 years now since the 10 in Detroit. I can't think of a 12 month period where so many key & beloved sports figures left:
DeMar DeRozan
Dwane Casey
John Gibbons
Josh Donaldson
Russell Martin
Troy Tulowitzki
Sebastian Giovinco
Marco Estrada
JVR/Bozak?— Greg Brady (@gregbradyTO) January 31, 2019
Speaking of, look how sad Toronto-born Fox Sports host Rachel Bonnetta was to hear the news:
My boyfriend told me about Giovinco leaving @torontofc and then snapped this pic. He couldn’t even wait till after I was finished my dinner. I AM INCONSOLABLE. pic.twitter.com/E0AF0SquZ1
— Rachel Bonnetta (@rachelbonnetta) January 31, 2019
She remained sad, even after two slices of pie:
Update: since finding out about giovinco I ate two pieces of pie. Did not help. pic.twitter.com/x3SKTph9CX
— Rachel Bonnetta (@rachelbonnetta) January 31, 2019
Season ticket holders seem to be the fans who are most upset by the deal:
Hey @torontofc us season ticket holders should be given some sort of refund on our tickets after you sell our two best players!! A bottom table team with no top players now and we had to pay more this season. That's not fair to the fans! #RedArmy #TFC
— Chris Ward (@CritterW8) January 31, 2019
This user raises an excellent point:
didn't we agree to stop selling weapons to Saudi Arabia? https://t.co/5x7l3wWIOe#Sebastian_Giovinco #TFC #goodbyeseba
— skipthedj (@skipthedj) January 31, 2019
Some TFC fans are threatening a boycott. (Although plenty of Leafs fans make similar promises every year.)
This Ali guy and @torontofc are full of it. #Sebastian_Giovinco wanted to stay here. There will be a backlash with season ticket holders and I hope this club crumbles because it’s operated by a bunch of clowns. I’m done after this season.
— Walter Faria (@wfariamtgpro) January 31, 2019
Did Toronto FC even CHECK with Ronaldinho or Jesus before making this decision?
First Inebriatti, followed by TB & Van Der Wiel, now Seba? Was this season not bad enough? @torontofc & @MLS are backwards. Really hope you’ve got Ronaldinho or Jesus Christ himself ready to be announced this week… #Seba #Giovinco #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/k4Az9NEchg
— Nelo (Manny) Morgado (@nelomorgado) January 31, 2019
Fans are clearly hoping for a big name as Giovinco’s replacement:
If Giovinco is actually gone, TFC better have a massive signing in the works. This isn’t the time for a rebuild. #tfc
— TorontoSportsCorner (@TOSportsCorner) January 28, 2019
Some fans are just angry:
@torontofc but what are you guys doing? Letting your 2 best players leave right before champions league? #Giovinco #TFCLive
— Daniel Borze (@d_borze) January 28, 2019
“Stupidest organization in the MLS” seems a little harsh, though:
If Toronto FC does not sign #Giovinco to a new contract, they cement themselves as a stupidest organization in MLS. He is the only reason many of us watch this team.
— Chester Shackleford (@OrglePc) January 28, 2019
At any rate, The Atomic Ant doesn’t look too unhappy in his new home stadium:
#sebastian_giovinco ?? pic.twitter.com/OZ1cfQr7iA
— رغد الحوشان (@raghadalho) February 4, 2019
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-soccer-fans-saying-sebastian-giovincos-exit/&title=What Toronto soccer fans are saying about Sebastian Giovinco’s exit&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/giovinco-featured.jpg&description=Sebastian Giovinco was, almost without question, the best thing that ever happened to Toronto FC. His arrival in 2015 sent a jolt of energy through the club, propelling Toronto's once-sad professional soccer team to the MLS Playoffs three seasons in a row, ending in an MLS Cup victory in 2017. Dubbed the "atomic ant" by fans because of his short stature, Giovinco was Toronto's leading goal scorer, as well as the city's first true soccer superstar.
And now he's leaving. Last week, Toronto FC sold Giovinco to Al-Hilal, a Saudi Arabian club, after failing to negotiate a contract extension with him. Sportsnet reports that Giovinco will be getting $11.5 million (U.S.) per year in his new home, which is good for him—but not so great for Toronto fans, who are understandably unhappy with the sudden change to their team's lineup. Here's what some of them had to say.
Giovinco, or “Seba,” has already landed in Riyadh, according to the official Al-Hilal Twitter account:
https://twitter.com/Alhilal_EN/status/1092398626050064384
Making this user’s plea too little, too late:
https://twitter.com/stass13/status/1090000054272684032
Broadcaster Greg Brady bemoans all the sports legends who have left Toronto in the past year:
https://twitter.com/gregbradyTO/status/1090801298302107648
Speaking of, look how sad Toronto-born Fox Sports host Rachel Bonnetta was to hear the news:
https://twitter.com/rachelbonnetta/status/1090819773795946496
She remained sad, even after two slices of pie:
https://twitter.com/rachelbonnetta/status/1090833358127390720
Season ticket holders seem to be the fans who are most upset by the deal:
https://twitter.com/CritterW8/status/1091005249932779520
This user raises an excellent point:
https://twitter.com/skipthedj/status/1091004594048589824
Some TFC fans are threatening a boycott. (Although plenty of Leafs fans make similar promises every year.)
https://twitter.com/wfariamtgpro/status/1091111167240663041
Did Toronto FC even CHECK with Ronaldinho or Jesus before making this decision?
https://twitter.com/nelomorgado/status/1090861027586199552
Fans are clearly hoping for a big name as Giovinco’s replacement:
https://twitter.com/TOSportsCorner/status/1089875146582700032
Some fans are just angry:
https://twitter.com/d_borze/status/1089890244692979712
“Stupidest organization in the MLS” seems a little harsh, though:
https://twitter.com/OrglePc/status/1089886860770492416
At any rate, The Atomic Ant doesn’t look too unhappy in his new home stadium:
https://twitter.com/raghadalh9/status/1092461468489039875){kind=link}