FROM PRO FIELDS TO CONCRETE STREETS: CHRISTOPHER RIBÉT'S JOURNEY

Meet Christopher.

Soccer and Christopher Ribét are inseparable. What began as a childhood passion has taken him to the professional stage, and now he is a teacher of the game.

He picked up the ball at ten years-old and has now spent nearly two decades immersed in the game. In 2022, he played professionally for LA Force in the National Independent Soccer Association. In 2024, Ribét brought his talents to San Diego where he trained with the San Diego Loyal and SD Inter. 

Ribét works as a sales professional at Better Buzz Coffee Roasters and is a head coach for four teams at Albion SC San Diego. Despite his busy schedule, he still finds time to play.

“I get up for work at 4am to start at 5am, work till about 12:30,” he says. “Then go coaching most the afternoon, then head over to the court at Chicano park and get a 2 hour workout in where I try not to lose a game at all, usually work that way.

About two and a half years ago, Ribét learned about Chicano Futsal. 

“I reached out to Bridge Barkada because I was referred to them by a friend in the footy community,” he recalls. “They pointed me towards Chicano and I was able to make it out quite frequently.”

A seasoned baller, Ribét finds joy in every touch, every game–a chance to sharpen his skills and express himself. After moving to San Diego, and playing in these communities, he has grown as a player. 

“It gives me pure joy to showcase my skills after a long day of busy work,” he states. “I have definitely gotten a lot better from playing in San Diego.”

Ribét scores a worldie at San Diego FC’s Chrome Ball Tournament in Oceanside, California.

As a teacher of the game, Ribét understands the importance of being a student of the game. When he plays, he learns. 

“The community is so diverse, yet we all speak footy,” he starts. “I appreciate seeing different skills and players, as well as tricks of the trade that I can use in my game.”

Ribét’s background in the world of soccer has shaped how he views its importance to our communities. 

“Free access to soccer is important because it breaks down financial barriers and gives every kid - regardless of their background - a chance to play, grow, and belong,” he says. “When [soccer] is not accessible to those that can’t afford club fees or travel costs, we lose so much talent and potential.”

Ribét embodies the full spectrum of what soccer can offer–from the highest levels to the basics, a ball and two goals. 

On the concrete, what starts as a game becomes a language, a release, and a place to belong.