CARSON, Calif. – Romain Alessandrini was back on the soccer field Thursday after “the most difficult game” of his life.
Alessandrini and his girlfriend Fiona welcomed their daughter Naomi into the world Wednesday morning after a lengthy process that began six days earlier. When the pair headed into a Santa Monica hospital for a check up Saturday before the Galaxy’s match with the San Jose Earthquakes, the couple were told that their baby was finally on the way.
Not wanting to leave his girlfriend alone in a foreign hospital without any family members to support her, Alessandrini called up Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid and told him that he would be unable to suit up against the Earthquakes. Missing such an important game left the Frenchman frustrated, but he admits “life is more important than a game.”
“The labor started on Friday. We went Saturday to the hospital without our stuff because it was just for a checkup but the nurse told my girlfriend that she needed to stay [at the hospital],” Alessandrini said on Friday. “It was hard for my girlfriend and a very long time. She was alone, so that’s why I stayed with her. Yesterday, her family came, and that’s why I was able to come [to practice].
“It was incredible though. Truly, the most beautiful day of my life.”
After the arrival of his girlfriend’s family from France on Wednesday, Alessandrini was able to head to StubHub Center for a brief late afternoon training session with Galaxy Director of Sports Performance Pierre Barrieu.
With baby Naomi and his girlfriend healthy and recuperating back in Santa Monica, the Frenchman is ready to focus on Saturday's match against the Colorado Rapids.
"Everything is okay. It was long and hard for my girlfriend, but everything is OK, so I am very glad," Alessandrini said. "Now I come back with the team, and I’m here for Saturday. We have to be confident to win the game."
