...In 1989, Trinidad & Tobago Midfielder Russell Latapy
was denied a chance to show the world who he was
at the age of 21. 17 Years Later, A Few Weeks Shy
Of His 38th birthday, Russell Latapy returned In 2005
to Trinidad & Tobago Squad, Now called the "Soca Warriors"
and was a Major Factor in Trinidad & Tobago Qualifying
for the FIFA World Cup Finals in 2006. Although Latapy
was on the bench while Trinidad & Tobago drew Sweden
and played 83 Minutes of Marvelous Football with
England..He came on for 23 minutes in Trinidad &
Tobago's match with Paraguay. Although Trinidad
& Tobago were down 0-1, in the 65th Minute Coach Leo
Beenhakker motioned to The Bench, and Finally Out Came
The "Little Magician", And for 23 minutes, the world saw
Russell Latapy, and it was the Climax of Russell
Latapy's career as an internationalist, representing
Trinidad and Tobago for 30 years...and for Russell
Latapy, his Marvelous Performance saw him
realize a dream that, after being crushed in 1989,
took another 16 years to be fulfilled. At the end
of the game, when the final whistle blew, Latapy
was in the middle of the field, the middle of the
Trinidad & Tobago strike squad..Just like he had
Been 16 years ago..He didn't have to bow, his
play had said it all...and with that, Russell Latapy
bowed out of the limelight, and retired from the
National Red, White, and Black colors after
fulfilling His Dream that He Had, When He
First Wore the Red, White, And Black at
the Age of Nine.
Exit Center Stage: Russell Latapy T&T 10
T&T International Footballer 1977-2006