Toronto FC have been a team with tons of talent and little production since leaning heavily into big-name Italian stars in recent seasons.
The Canadian outfit brought in Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi in 2022, hoping the duo would be the star-power needed to lead the club back to where they feel they belong — in the upper echelon of Major League Soccer.
But in the seasons since splashing the cash on the Italian pair, Toronto has yet to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, finishing bottom of the Eastern Conference in 2023.
Having wrapped up their 2024 campaign with a 1-0 home loss to Supporters Shield winners Inter Miami earlier in the month, the one-time treble winners saw another season end in pain.
With their stars feeling the brunt of the criticism from fans and media alike, Bernardeschi was quick to pen a letter to Toronto supporters this week sharing in their misery.
“I was sure we were gonna make it this year, but I was wrong,” he said in a social media post. “All the hard work wasn’t enough.
“I can’t say l’m happy or satisfied. I assure you, from the moment I set foot in this amazing city, which now feels like home, my goal has always been, and always will be, to win.
“I was raised with a fighter’s mindset, and winning has always been important to me. For myself and for you. In life, just like in sports, you can’t always win, but losses teach you and help you grow way more than victories do.”
The former Juventus man finished with eight goals and eight assists in 29 MLS games, but says he will ‘work even harder’ going forward as Toronto continues to lean on him as the driving force in the club’s push to climb back into the picture at the top of the Eastern Conference.
“A professional has to always give it their all, day in and day out, to repay the love and support they receive, with dedication, sacrifice, and effort in both the big and small things. I’ve worked hard and I’m gonna work even harder from now on.
“I wanna thank you all for the constant support, the dedication, and the recognition. It’s no small thing, it’s the main drive behind my goals. I remember every banner, message, and well-wish. I love this city, and I owe it to you all for giving me so much.
“I really care… and I know… YOU really care!”