Friends of the Environment

At a small environmental forum in Vancouver, the famous Canadian scientist David Suzuki decides to speak directly to two of the most recognizable football stars in the world: Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić.

Suzuki adjusts his glasses and smiles.

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“Gentlemen,” Suzuki begins, “you are two of the most talented footballers on Earth. But I want to ask you something important.”

He points toward the green mountains around Vancouver.

“Are you friends of the environment?”

Ronaldo and Modrić exchange a look.

Suzuki continues:

“You could make a real statement. Forget the big money leagues for a moment. Come play football here in Vancouver — the world’s greenest city. Imagine the message it would send if global superstars chose clean air, forests, and community over another mansion.”

He turns directly to Ronaldo.

“Cristiano, I see the headlines about the cars, the garages, the luxury. But let me ask you something: are you working for your cars?”

The room laughs softly.

“Because from where I stand,” Suzuki says, “it looks like the cars are winning.”

He gestures with his hands like he’s planting something in the soil.

“Saving the world isn’t glamorous. It’s not champagne parties or red carpets. It’s gardening. It’s recycling. It’s composting your food scraps. It’s living in a smaller home and riding a bicycle sometimes.”

Suzuki shrugs with a calm smile.

“Simplify, man. The Earth doesn’t need more power consumers. It needs role models.”

Then he nods toward the soccer stars again.

“You two could score the most important goal of your lives — not in Madrid or Riyadh — but for the planet.”

“And the training,” Suzuki adds with a grin, “starts in the garden.” 🌱⚽🌍