Inter Toronto forward Julian Altobelli has challenged his teammates to take greater responsibility for the club’s disappointing 2026 campaign, insisting that improved work ethic, collective fight and accountability will be essential if the Canadian Premier League side are to challenge for honours next season.
Altobelli made the call after scoring in the 90th minute of Inter Toronto’s 2–1 victory over Atlético Ottawa in their final league fixture on Sunday, October 25, expressing relief at ending the season with a win despite admitting that the campaign had fallen below expectations.
“We need to work harder. We need to do more on the field and we need to fight as a team,” Altobelli said in his post-match interview.
“We need to look at ourselves in the mirror and tell ourselves that it wasn’t good enough from every single one of us.”
The forward acknowledged that Inter Toronto’s season had been difficult and expressed regret that he had been unable to contribute more, having spent an extended period on the sidelines through injury.
Nevertheless, he described the final-day victory as an important positive for the players, even though the result could not change the club’s failure to qualify for the playoffs.
“For us as individual players, we’re all happy with ending the season on a win,” he said. “We end the year with a win, and I think that’s the most important thing for all of us.”
Altobelli also confirmed that he had fully recovered from his injury after what he described as a long rehabilitation process.
“I’m 100 per cent recovered. It was a long recovery, unfortunately, but I’m back now, feeling good and happy to contribute,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2027, the forward pointed to the club’s ambitions as a reason for the squad to raise its standards, stressing that the responsibility for improvement rested with the players themselves.
He also welcomed the opportunities given to younger academy prospects during the closing stages of the campaign, describing their involvement as evidence of progress in the club’s development pathway.
Altobelli singled out Nico, who started the match against Atlético Ottawa and played the majority of the contest, praising the youngster’s work ethic and determination.
“I think it’s great. I think it shows that the academy is growing in the right direction,” he said. “The kid’s a fighter, the kid works hard, and it shows that there are players coming through the academy who will have an impact on this team next year or in the future.”
He also referenced Ty as another young player whose involvement could benefit the senior team, expressing hope that the emerging talents would become significant contributors in the coming season.
Inter Toronto’s victory over Ottawa provided a positive finish to a campaign that failed to meet the club’s expectations. Altobelli’s message, however, was clear: the team must turn its disappointment into collective responsibility and harder work if it is to make a stronger push in 2027.
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