\u201cI\u2019m broken to the point that I feel like I\u2019m not even living anymore,\u201d Joseph said. \u201cOn Saturday, he told me he was well [over text]. Then on Sunday, something went wrong on the field. Jeff died. I regret that I will not see my brother again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Les](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FB_IMG_1754405839888.jpg\")
Les Cayes Football Club defensive midfielder Jeff Barionette during his time on loan with Association Sportive Capoise at Parc Saint-Victor in Cap-Ha\u00eftien in July 2025. Photo credit: Association Sportive Capoise<\/p>\n
Since Barrionette\u2019s passing, Joseph has not returned to the field. The grief is compounded by fears that he is not healthy enough to play.<\/p>\n
From Port-au-Prince to Petit-G\u00f4ave and beyond<\/p>\n
Barrionette\u2019s soccer journey began in Port-au-Prince, where he was born, but it took root in the western commune of Petit-G\u00f4ave, where he grew up after losing his mother at the age of five.<\/p>\n
He would later return to the capital, where he played for the country\u2019s historic club, Aigle Noir Athl\u00e9tic Club<\/a>. But as violence escalated in Port-au-Prince, Barrionette and his father fled. His father settled in Petit-Go\u00e2ve while Barionette moved to Aquin, drawn by his soccer network.<\/p>\n He played for several top clubs, including Racing Club Ha\u00eftien<\/a> and Real Hope Football Academy<\/a>. Eventually, he joined Les Cayes Football Club, a second division team.<\/p>\n Barrionette found stardom in the chanpyona vakans\u2014amateur summer tournaments where he routinely earned \u201cMan of the Match\u201d honors and was revered for his creativity and vision.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a terrific player, a very good lefty,\u201d Schneider \u2018D\u00e8d\u00e8\u2019 Kernizan, a Les Cayes player, said, reminiscing on when he played against Barrionette. \u201cI wasn\u2019t close to him, but we\u2019re all deeply affected by his death.\u201d<\/p>\n Off the field, Barrionette was known for his calm temperament. He rarely argued, not even with referees.<\/p>\n Haiti\u2019s players overworked and under-tested<\/p>\n On Feb. 28, just months before Barrionette\u2019s death, another Haitian player, Olnick \u201cFabregas\u201d Alesy of Arcahaie Football Club<\/a>, died of a heart attack<\/a> during a pickup game in Arcahaie, a western commune. He was 31.<\/p>\n It was a warning sign the community largely missed.<\/p>\n In Haiti, many soccer players\u2014especially in amateur circuits\u2014play multiple games in a week without the benefit of medical evaluations. They often compete relentlessly in the summer leagues to earn income. Some skip meals, eat poorly, and drink excessively, according to residents and fellow players. The grind is physical. The risks are often invisible.<\/p>\n Joseph admitted he\u2019s never undergone a medical screening, himself. He doubts Barrionette had either.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m broken to the point that I feel like I\u2019m not even living anymore. On Saturday, he told me he was well [over text], but on Sunday, something went wrong on the field. Jeff died. I regret that I will not see my brother again.\u201d<\/p>\n Feguens Joseph, ex-teammate<\/p>\n The week of his death, Barrionette had just played in L\u00e9og\u00e2ne and was scheduled to appear in Aquin after his match in Les Cayes. Joseph emphasized that Barrionette didn\u2019t drink alcohol but often went without eating.<\/p>\n \u201cHe never showed signs of illness,\u201d Joseph said.<\/p>\n Medical screenings for Haitian footballers are rare. One of the only times they\u2019re conducted is ahead of international competitions. This month, Juventus des Cayes<\/a> players were tested in preparation for the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup. One player was found to have a heart condition\u2014completely undetected until then.<\/p>\n \u201cThat player could\u2019ve gone on the field and fainted,\u201d Marcval Esmeus, communications manager for the club, told The Haitian Times. \u201cWe don\u2019t know which players in the league are playing with undiagnosed health issues. Se m\u00e8t k\u00f2 ki veye k\u00f2, (One has to be cautious about one\u2019s health). The players have to get tested.\u201d<\/p>\n Joseph, like many others, can\u2019t afford a private exam. But he plans to demand one from his club when the new season starts.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really scared, imagine your boy, your brother dying on the field,\u201d Joseph said, laughing nervously. \u201cWhy am I scared? Do I have an illness I don\u2019t know about? I feel healthy, but I\u2019m not a doctor. I don\u2019t have a device that detects illnesses in my body.\u201d<\/p>\n Barrionette is survived by his girlfriend and countless teammates who considered him family.<\/p>\n His funeral will be held Aug. 7 at \u00c9glise Notre Dame de Petit-Go\u00e2ve at 9 a.m. local time.<\/p>\n \t\t\tLike this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n