Maxence Lacroix champions rural roots, aims to bridge countryside and football | OneFootball

Maxence Lacroix is using his rise with France to spotlight Ajat in Dordogne and improve rural access to football. According to L'Équipe, he is investing locally to help countryside youngsters.

He played the full 4-1 win over Norway on Friday at the World Cup.

Ajat, 155 kilometres north-east of Bordeaux, has 307 residents, a hilltop château and few facilities. During the tournament pizzas have been on the house on some match nights from its hometown player.

Born in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, he moved to Ajat at six months as his parents left Paris, his mother Corinne a doctor seeking to serve rural communities. The family first stayed with the mayor while their house was readied. Now at Crystal Palace, he could join Chelsea this summer.

He began at FC Thenon Limeyrat Fossemagne aged four, then at 12 stepped up to Trélissac, a 35 minute drive. Often he honed his touch alone, pinging balls against walls for lack of playing partners.

The Pôle Espoirs in Talence jolted him into a new world. Bordeaux’s competitive edge forced him to toughen up and even learn basics like taking the tram. Leaving home early reshaped his character.

Back home he is working with mayor Didier Clerjoux to show World Cup games. He has also helped the FFF install a community pitch in Thenon.

Set on representing rural football, he says he must muck in beyond the pitch. He is backing projects in Ajat, from a bakery to pool upgrades and safeguarding château above the village.

Source: L'Équipe