By James Louis-Charles (Published on May 18th, 2026)
Before the World Cup, packed stadiums, national anthem, and pressure of carrying an entire nation’s hopes, he was just a quiet little boy in Belgium with a soccer ball constantly at his feet.
Long before professional contracts and international soccer, he spent endless hours in a small garden beside his older brother, who pushed him relentlessly and helped shape the player he would eventually become.
Coaches sometimes thought he was too kind, too quiet, and not aggressive enough for elite soccer.
But behind that silence was resilience and the story of a child born in Haiti, adopted at the age of two, and raised with values of humility, sacrifice, and hard work.
Years later, despite building his life in Europe, he chose to represent the country where his story began, Haiti.
Now he is preparing for Haiti’s return to the World Cup after 52 years.
A Child Who Simply Loved Soccer
Hannes Delcroix grew up in Horendonk, Belgium, where soccer quickly became part of his everyday life.
“At school during the breaks, we always played soccer. At home in the garden with my older brother, too. For me, when I was very young, it was always soccer, soccer,” he recalled.
Unlike many future professionals, Delcroix was not obsessed with becoming famous or reaching the top levels of the game.
“At first, I was not really thinking about becoming a professional,” he admitted. “I liked soccer, and I enjoyed it so much. For me, it was just something I loved to do.”
That innocence shaped the foundation of his journey.
The Brother Who Saw the Future
Before coaches, scouts, or academies truly entered the picture, the person who believed most in Hannes was his older brother.
The two spent countless hours playing in the family garden, but those sessions were never entirely casual.
“My brother was really severe with me,” Delcroix said with a smile. “He would say, ‘Left foot, now right foot. Come on, you have to be better.’”
At the time, Hannes simply wanted to enjoy himself.
His brother wanted more for him.
“He really believed I could become a professional soccer player,” Delcroix said. “That was his dream for me.”
Years later, that belief became reality.
The Sacrifices Nobody Saw
Soccer became serious when Delcroix joined Antwerp’s academy around the age of nine or ten.
Suddenly, life revolved around training sessions, long commutes, and a demanding schedule that consumed nearly every day of the week.
For his adoptive family, the sacrifices were enormous.
Delcroix, who was born in Haiti before being adopted by a Belgian family at the age of two, says he still reflects on everything his parents gave up to support him.
“We were four kids in the family, but they were really focused on me most of the time because I had to go to training every day somewhere. The commute alone became exhausting. At one point, the drive to Antwerp stretched close to an hour each way,” he explained.
“They struggled a lot with transportation,” he said. “After school, they brought me to training and back every time.”
Eventually, the club itself helped organize transportation because of the distance.
Looking back now, Delcroix understands the weight of those sacrifices even more deeply.
“They made a lot of sacrifices for me,” he said. “I am really grateful for that.”
Quiet by Nature, Strong by Necessity
Today, Delcroix is an experienced professional defender accustomed to pressure, expectations, and high-level competition, but as a child, he describes himself very differently.
“I was shy,” he said. “An introvert.”
That personality sometimes clashed with the demanding and aggressive nature of elite soccer.
“Coaches would say, ‘He is too kind. He has to be more aggressive,’” Delcroix remembered. “I was not someone who talked a lot on the pitch.”
If he could speak to his younger self today, his advice would not focus on soccer trophies or fame. It would focus on confidence.
“I would tell myself to open my mouth more,” he said. “Just because you are respectful does not mean you cannot speak up.”
That transformation from a quiet child to a professional competing at the highest level became one of the most important parts of his development.
Haiti Never Left Him
Although Delcroix left Haiti at a very young age and admits he remembers little about his earliest years there, the connection to his roots in Haiti has always remained close to him.
“It meant a lot for me to play for Haiti,” he said. “It is the country where I am from.”
Representing Haiti also carries a deeper responsibility for him.
“Where I come from, it was never easy,” Delcroix reflected. “We are the lucky ones who managed to have a better life.” That awareness shaped both his mentality and his values.
“You should always be respectful,” he said. “Work hard, stay humble, and help people in need.”
For Delcroix, Haitian identity is not simply about nationality. It is about resilience, perseverance, and pride.
Why Haiti Keeps Producing Fighters
When asked why Haitian players continue to rise despite difficult circumstances, Delcroix answered without hesitation.
“Nothing is given to them,” he said.
He believes adversity creates a unique mentality that pushes many Haitian athletes forward.
“They want something to be proud of,” he explained. “That is why they keep going and never give up.”
That mentality now carries even greater significance as Haiti prepares for its FIFA World Cup appearance in 52 years.
For Delcroix, this moment is bigger than soccer. It is about giving hope to an entire country and changing the global perception of Haiti.
“It is a recent dream for me,” he said. “Especially for Haiti, it would be something big.”
A Message to the Next Generation
For young Haitian players who feel their dreams are too far away, Delcroix’s message is simple.
“Never give up. Believe in yourself and work hard for your dream.”
The words may sound simple, but his life gives them meaning.
Because before professional contracts, before The Call-Up, before representing Haiti on soccer’s biggest stage, Hannes Delcroix was simply a quiet kid kicking a soccer ball in a garden while his older brother pushed him to improve.
And somewhere along the way, that small childhood routine became a journey toward carrying the hopes of an entire nation.
This article is part of the Before the Call-Up series, a storytelling project highlighting the journeys of Haitian footballers that I interview. The series aims to inspire young players in Haiti and across the diaspora by showing the human stories behind professional careers, and to help shift the narrative around Haitian soccer toward one of possibility and pride.
Special thanks to FC Lugano for facilitating and organizing this interview.