Governor Names State Holiday In Honor Of Soccer Star Who Grew Up In Melrose

MELROSE, MA — Governor Maura Healey welcomed a former Melrose High School soccer player turned 2026 World Cup star to the State House in Boston this week to bestow an annual honor upon him.

May 26 is now “Frantzdy Pierrot Day” in Massachusetts moving forward. Pierrot was recognized in an event that began with the Melrose High School marching band beginning the ceremony with a performance. Pierrot first came to Melrose from his native Haiti when he was 11 years old. 20 years later, he is getting ready to lead his home country in the World Cup hosted by Massachusetts. He was a driving force behind Haiti earning its first World Cup berth in 50 years, leading his team in scoring in the Gold Cup last fall.

Pierrot’s family, friends, and teammates were present for the festivities. City Councilors from Boston, Randolph, Shirley, and Brockton who all have Haitian backgrounds. After declaring the state holiday and recapping Pierrot’s career achievements, the soccer star took to the podium to express gratitude to attendees and to everyone who attended the event.

“Football (soccer) was everything to us, but we didn’t have much,” Pierrot said about his childhood in Haiti. “We played barefoot in the streets, we made balls out of whatever we could find. Sometimes, we even used oranges.”

Pierrot added that his life changed when he arrived in the United States. While it presented many positive changes, Pierrot said it was still difficult to adjust to living in a new country.

“Many people doubted me and didn’t believe in me, but that only gave me more motivation,” Pierrot said. “Step by step, the dream that started barefoot in Haiti brought me to the Champions League and now the biggest stage in the world.”

Pierrot said that while he is grateful for the opportunities the country gave him, he emphasized that children should not have to leave their home to pursue their passion properly. He then introduced the Frantzdy Pierrot Foundation, which has the goal of connecting Haitian youth with soccer training and skill development, as well as connections with scouts and clubs throughout North America and Europe.

“I don’t want this day to be only about me,” Pierrot said. “I want it to represent every child with a dream, every parent making sacrifices, every coach who is working with limited resources, every community believing in a brighter future.”

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