FOOTBALL AND FRIENDS An Interview With Peter Galindo

Conducted by Namu Yoon

How did u first get into football or other sports?

I grew up playing football ever since I can remember. My father is from Peru, so he is the man responsible for introducing me to it.

I played basketball and baseball a lot, and I still enjoy both sports, but I felt that connection with football thanks to my dad, who was incredibly active in my life. He coached my teams, took me to Vancouver Whitecaps games and we’d spend weekends watching matches together, which grew my love for the sport.

Having played regularly during my youth, I developed a fondness for the tactical and statistical side of football, which I incorporate into my work to this day. Even now, I don’t think there is a moment when I’m not thinking about football. Thanks for the lifelong addiction, dad!

What are some of your favourite clubs or nations to support?

Being born in Canada, I will always support Canadian football and do my part to assist its growth in any way I can.

I also grew up watching the Vancouver Whitecaps in the old A-League and USL but as I started covering the sport for a living, your fandom eventually erodes. However, if the day ever comes that the Whitecaps win MLS Cup, I will be thrilled for my hometown, which has a deep-rooted footballing history that goes back decades.

Nowadays, I have developed a fondness for Celtic. My cousin, who I consider to be the brother I never had – we’ve known each other since we were three years old – is a diehard supporter and we both had the pleasure of experiencing an Old Firm game in 2017 at Celtic Park. I’ve been permanently hooked ever since.

How did you get into your current position/group related to football?

I’ve been at Sportsnet in some capacity since 2014 having landed an internship straight out of school. I had the joy of being mentored by John Molinaro, who remains a close friend to this day. I owe a debt of gratitude to John for helping my career blossom into what it is today.

I’m also grateful for Kristian Jack helping a then-17-year-old who had no idea how to pursue sports journalism as a career. A few months after he was kind enough to chat with me over the phone to offer advice, he helped me land my first-ever internship at theScore with The Footy Show (R.I.P.) which confirmed what I always felt: that I wanted to be a football journalist.