Jonathan David's artistry whetting the appetite of Canadian soccer fans a year out from 2026 World Cup

Top strikers are architects. They are builders and engineers. They see an empty space, and they imagine the most beautiful way to fill it. They see possibility, and they turn it into something true.

Jonathan David is the greatest striker in the history of the Canadian men's program. He's 25 years old, and he's scored more goals than anyone who has come before him. In Saturday's emphatic win over Ukraine in Toronto, he scored two more, the 33rd and 34th of his national-team career.

The first was workmanlike, an object of his desire and efficiency: right place, right time. 

The second was a masterpiece, a product of his artistry.

On Sunday, David, at the start of the most critical year of his professional life, sat down for an exclusive interview with CBC at the team's downtown hotel. He isn't a towering physical specimen, a monster masquerading as a man. He's quiet and contained. When so many of the world's best strikers are characters, the flamboyant giants of the game, he's almost remarkably unremarkable.

"I'm a calm guy," he said. "I don't really go out that much. I prefer to stay in my room, just relaxing."

WATCH | Jonathan David scores twice, Canada downs Ukraine at Canadian Shield:

Jonathan David scores twice, Canada downs Ukraine at Canadian Shield

That was before he was asked about his gorgeous goal, and he talked about what it takes to make something beautiful. David's vision is his gift, the reason he will join a top European side this summer after five years at Lille of France's Ligue 1. Saturday's demonstration will only improve his prospects. The thought of it made him shine.

"This one was…"

He didn't finish his sentence. He stopped to smile, and then he went back to the beginning, with Tajon Buchanan