Mateo Restrepo always knew this day would come.
Not long after signing with the Halifax Wanderers in 2020, he told CanPL.ca, “I think I could be a good doctor someday… I’m taking all of the steps up until, well, I absolutely have to make a decision.”
Those steps have led him to the right now. Accepted into a top medical school, Restrepo will play his last match as a professional footballer on Saturday at the Wanderers Grounds (vs. FC Edmonton, 2:30 p.m. AT).
“My best friend called me and said, ‘this is your last week as a professional footballer,’ and I was like ‘I didn’t even think about that’, I don’t think it’s hit me yet,” Restrepo said. “I’m just trying to be focused until the end and try to be a group member until the last whistle blows.”
“It’s going to be bittersweet. Very nostalgic, I’m just going to let it be what it’s going to be. I’m not going into it with any expectations, I know it’s going to be very emotionally charged. But I think I’m ready to say goodbye.”
It’s a goodbye that Restrepo has earned through dedication and sacrifice. Through his three seasons as a Wanderer, he balanced the daily rigours of being a professional athlete with his continued studies. Many days of train-gym-study-sleep-repeat lined his schedule. And the off-season meant even more studying.
This has long been the routine, as Restrepo studied cellular and molecular biology at the University of California Santa Barbara while also starring for the soccer team. Before that, he was a high school student working his way up the ranks at Toronto FC and featuring for the Canadian U-17 and U-18 teams.
Just as he did on his journey to be a pro footballer, Restrepo pushed himself in his pursuit of medical school. The other dream he’s had since he was in high school.
“It was interesting, kind of a continuation of university because when I was there, I was a student-athlete, so I hung on to that role when I got here,” he said. “I was applying to medical schools, studying for the MCAT, trying to create my story and convince people on the admissions board that I’m good enough; I have this passion alongside football and how the environment has helped me grow as a person.”
But sometimes, when opportunity knocks, the timing doesn’t align. Restrepo’s hard work had paid off with an acceptance into the prestigious Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. After balancing studies and sport his whole life, he would have to put all his focus into one.
🌊💎 Halifax Wanderers defender Mateo Restrepo is stepping away from football to attend the prestigious Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
His last match as a member of the Wanderers is this Saturday.
Congratulations, Mateo! 👏
Details 🔽🔽🔽
— Halifax Wanderers FC (@HFXWanderersFC) July 21, 2022
Having seen one dream all the way through – playing three seasons of professional soccer – Restrepo felt the time had come to chase his other dream, the one that had gone ‘hand and hand’ with football for the last decade. But it wasn’t easy, knowing how much he loves the game and not knowing how his decision would be received.
“It’s really tough to leave mid-season, if it were up to me, I would finish the season with the boys and keep contributing and growing beside them. But sometimes life doesn’t work out that way,” Restrepo said.
“I was a bit nervous to tell the club because I was a bit conflicted, but from my teammates to the coaches, they welcomed it with open arms and said they were proud of me. There was nothing but unwavering support and love from everybody, so it made it a lot earlier to have those conversations and to leave to chase my next dream.”
Despite all the hard work to get here, what’s next may be the hardest part. After a football career that included stops in Germany, California, Halifax and a stint with the Canadian youth national team, Restrepo has one more match on the schedule before he trades his blue kit for a white coat.
He says the game of football has given him everything, and there’s a lot he will miss.
“I’ve been reflecting on this a lot, I am going to miss the bus rides, playing cards with the boys, dinner with the boys, obviously football as well, the competition, what it forces out of you…but more the family aspect, the comradery that comes with it. It gave me community, it gave me a family, it gave me an avenue that I could develop and grow as a man, so it’s hard to let go, but it will always be a part of me.”
And everything that football gave to Restrepo, he was giving it back. Be it through the work ethic he applied to the rest of his life or being a good teammate on and off the pitch, Mateo left an impression on those around him. Especially now, as he gets set to hang up his boots in pursuit of helping others.
“He’s a role model on and off the pitch,” teammate and roommate Aidan Daniels says of Restrepo. “The way he carries himself in life and on the field, he’s the ultimate professional, it’s been a blessing to have him, and there are not many people I know who could do what Mateo is doing, and I’m super proud and happy for him.”
— Mateo Restrepo (@_teo97) July 21, 2022
Looking ahead to the next chapter, Restrepo is approaching his transition with an open mind. Maybe he will pursue sports medicine and bring his two passions together, but maybe something else is in the cards.
“There’s a lot you can do with medicine. Obviously, I’m interested in sports, but I’m just going in and seeing what aspects of medicine I fall in love with,” Restrepo said. “I’m starting new, starting fresh, and I’m excited. I’ve never been here before, but I’m excited for the boundless possibilities that exist in the next chapter of my life.”
So after 36 matches over three seasons with the Wanderers crest on his chest, Mateo has his 37th and final trip to the Wanderers Grounds on the horizon. One last day in the room, with the group he calls family, and a final chance to get three points in front of a packed stadium.
“I’m sure there will be tears and emotions and a lot of hugs. But I’m trying to take it like every day is the same as always.”