Growing Up in Ajat: Maxence Lacroix’s Background and Ball Story

Maxence Lacroix was born in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges to a nurse father and a doctor mother. A move to Ajat, a small village in Dordogne, marked the centre back’s early years. With few peers around, he spent countless hours playing football alone, kicking a ball against walls and practising in the quiet streets. His passion for the game grew stronger, even if it sometimes led to trouble, like breaking the village’s lampposts with his ball.

At just four years old, he joined a local club, initially playing as a goalkeeper before trying various positions on the field. Maxence’s early development was helped by his height, and despite facing physical challenges like joint pain, he worked tirelessly to achieve his dream.

Maxence’s close bond with his mother was a constant source of strength throughout his life. Despite the challenges of her demanding career and their eventual separation, she supported his ambitions and provided him with a stable and loving childhood.

This is the story of Maxence Lacroix—a young man who grew up in a small village, faced adversity, and turned his passion for football into a successful professional career. The gallery gives a clear description of his growth in a summary.

The Beginnings:

Maxence Guy Lacroix was born on the 6th of April 2000 to his parents- his mother Corinner Lamouroux and his father Mr Lacroix in Paris. The centre-back is the only child in the union of his mother and father. However, growing up, Maxence Lacroix’s mother was his sole guardian. Nonetheless, here is the photo of the footballer with his parents as they stand hands in hands with him.

Early Years Narratives:

Maxence Lacroix was born in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges to a nurse father and a doctor mother. When he was young, his family moved to Ajat, a small village in the Dordogne with just 322 inhabitants. Life in Ajat was serene but solitary. As one of the few young people in the town, Maxence often had to create his own entertainment. He would spend hours outside, riding his bike, exploring, and, most notably, playing football alone.

With no peers around, Maxence found himself kicking a ball against walls, practising tirelessly in the quiet streets. His enthusiasm occasionally landed him in trouble, like when he broke the village’s lampposts with his ball. Despite the calm surroundings, his determination and love for the game flourished in this isolated environment.

The village’s lack of diversity presented some challenges for his family. As one of the first Black families in the area, they were met with curiosity rather than hostility. Maxence recalls people being surprised to see someone who looked different moving into their community, though he doesn’t describe the experience as overtly racist.

Growing up in the countryside also nurtured a love for animals. Inspired by the farmers and wildlife around him, Maxence once dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. He fondly remembers seeing sheep and deer in the fields, a stark contrast to what life might have been like had he stayed in the urban setting of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.

Growing-Up Years:

Maxence Lacroix started loving football because of his dad. His dad loved the game and used to play as a goalkeeper for fun. Maxence loved watching him play and coach every weekend. Soon, he wanted to play, too.

When he was just four years old, he joined a small football club. But as he played more, the little lad tried different positions on the field and learned he was good at many of them. Maxence was tall for his age, so his mom, who is a doctor, signed a paper to let him play with older kids. Playing with bigger kids helped him get better quickly.

One of Maxence’s dreams was to join Pôle Espoirs, a special school for young football players. It wasn’t easy because he had joint pain from growing so fast, but he worked hard and got in. For two years, Maxence trained there during the week and came home on weekends to play for Toulouse FC.

At first, Maxence found it hard to show confidence, even though he was one of the tallest. But after talking with his coaches, he started believing in himself. From then on, he improved a lot and made everyone proud.

Family Tragedy:

The centre-back has a very special bond with his mother. She worked hard and gave him a happy childhood, but life wasn’t always easy. When his parents got divorced, it was a sad and hard time for both of them. Like in many families, problems arose, but Maxence and his mom stayed close and helped each other through it all.

Even when things were tough, Maxence never stopped loving football. After training, while waiting for his mom to pick him up, he would grab a ball and kick it against a wall. He practised all the time, even just for a few minutes. Football became his way to feel better and dream big.

Even though he was young, Maexence’s mother said he barely gave any trouble. His training centre only called her when the French-born went to practice with flip-flops. It was as though he understood the pain of his doctor’s mom and did all he could to relieve her stress.

A Dive into Maxence Lacroix’s Family Background:

The Crystal Palace player grew up in a family that knows a lot about helping people stay healthy. His mom is a doctor, and his dad is a nurse. When Maxence was just a baby, his parents decided to leave the busy city of Paris and move to a quiet place in Dordogne. They went to a small village called Ajat, where his mom opened her doctor’s office.

Having parents who worked in medicine made Maxence’s childhood special. His mom always took care of him, so he never needed to go to a doctor. She also helped him with his football dreams. When he needed a paper from a doctor to play with older kids, his mom could give it to him right away.

Maxence’s mom kept a close eye on his health as he got older. When he was a teenager, he grew really fast, which made his knees hurt because of something called Osgood-Schlatter syndrome. To help him, his mom gave him special vitamins and made sure he ate healthy food. She even switched his regular milk to almond milk to make him feel better.

Family Origin:

Maxence Lacroix’s family comes from two amazing places. His dad’s family is from Guadeloupe, a beautiful island in the Caribbean. His dad grew up in a big family near Paris, in a city called Créteil.

While Maxence’s mom’s family is from Madagascar, a large island with many animals and nature. These two cultures make their only child unique; he is proud of both. While on, their child has his roots firmly in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France.

In terms of ethnicity, Maxence Lacroix’s heritage is a mix of Guadeloupean (Afro-Caribbean) and Malagasy (African), which means his ethnicity is rooted in African heritage from both sides.

Early Football Story:

The rookie started playing football in Limeyrat when he was six. At first, he played as a goalkeeper, trying to stop the ball from going into the net. But when he turned 13 and joined the Bordeaux youth academy, he moved up the field to play as a striker, trying to score goals instead.

When Maxence was 15, he joined the Sochaux youth team. At first, they made him play in the attacking midfield, then as a defensive midfielder. Later, they decided his best spot was as a centre-back, the player who defends near the goal.

On the 21st of August, 2017, Maxence signed his first big contract with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, starting his professional football journey. A year later, on the 22nd of December 2018, he played his first professional match for Sochaux in Ligue 2. His team won 1-0 against FC Lorient.

At Sochaux, the academy director, Éric Hély, told Maxence, “You’ll go the furthest as a central defender.” Maxence listened and worked hard in this position. He says, “Centre-back is the best spot for me.”

His Journey to Finding Fame:

With Sochaux, the now centre-back player stayed with the team, moving through the ranks of the under-17 and finally as part of the reserve squad. On 21st August 2017, Maxence signed his first professional deal.

After three years of intense training and honing his skillset, it was time to move to the next big thing. Lacroix went on to Germany’s Bundesliga Wolfsburg, where he played alongside notable names like Omar Marmoush, talented Felix Nmecha, and Dutch striker Wout Weghorst etc. Despite the language barrier as a French man, it didn’t stop him from showing off his talents.

Having conquered the German league, the centre-back set his sights on the English league with Crystal Palace. Maxence was expected to fill the shoes left behind by Joachim Andersen as he left for Fulham FC. As well as competes with Marc Guehi, who already occupies the position as one of the top defenders in the club alongside Trevoh Chalobah (who was on loan from Chelsea before Enzo Maresca‘s retrieval).

Fans and critics alike are wondering if Maxence Lacroix has what it takes to become a standout defender in the Premier League. But the stats speak for themselves—he’s more than ready for the challenge. With his strong defensive skills, we’re confident that the Frenchman will dominate at the back for his new team. If he maintains this level of performance, it could even earn him a call-up to Didier Deschamps’s French national team. From there, the rest could be history.

Personal Life:

When Maxence Lacroix isn’t playing football, he shows how much he cares for others. Maxence was born in Paris, and he likes to help people who don’t have as much as he does. He spends time giving food to those in need because he wants to make their lives better.

For fun, Maxence loves to do relaxing things with his friends. One of his favourite activities is going on paddle boat rides, which makes him happy and calm. He also works hard to stay healthy. He goes to the gym often to keep his body strong and ready for football.

Maxence’s life shows how he balances being kind, spending time with friends, and staying fit. He makes time for the things that matter to him. The centre-back is a Virgo with other footballers like Christain Pulisic and Bruno Fernandes, etc.

Household Life:

Even though his Maxence Lacroix family were all medical attendants, they supported their own as he went into football. Putting hands together showed their only son the love and joy he needed to put through his career. Let’s get to know more about the footballer’s household.

About Maxence Lacroix’s Mother:

Corinner Lamouroux has always been there to help him. She is a doctor and used her knowledge to make sure her child stayed healthy and strong. When the Ajat explorer was little, she made wise choices, such as giving him almond milk instead of regular milk. Maxence Lacroix’s mom also told him to eat food to help him grow and recover after playing football.

Even as Maxence got older and became a professional footballer, his mom kept helping him. She advised him what to eat, like avoiding tomatoes because they can slow recovery. The French Starlet listened to her and told his cook to prepare meals as his mom suggested.

His mom also cared for him in other ways. When Maxence got Covid and lost his sense of taste and smell, Corinner sent him some foie gras, a special food he hadn’t eaten in a long time. She hoped it would make him feel better and bring back his sense of taste. Showing how much love the Malagasy woman greatly adored her child.

About Maxence Lacroix’s Father:

Mr Lacroix was a big reason he loved football and became a great player. Maxence Lacroix’s dad worked as a nurse, but he also grew up loving football in a big West Indian family in Créteil. The Guadeloupean descent wasn’t just a fan—he played football as a goalkeeper and even coached others. He stayed close to football by playing with veteran teams, too.

Little Maxence loved watching his dad play every weekend. Seeing his father’s love for the game made him want to play, too. Maxence started playing football as a goalkeeper when he was only four years old, just like his dad. His dad always encouraged him and helped him get better at the sport.

One day, during a tournament, Maxence’s team lost, and he started crying. Mr Lacroix scolded him, saying he shouldn’t cry because of a loss. Even though it was hard to hear, it taught Maxence to be strong. From that day, he promised to stop feeling weak and be brave and tough—like a warrior.

Maxence grew into a strong and skilled player thanks to his dad’s love for football, his lessons, and his support. His dad helped him believe in himself and work hard to become the football star he is today.

Final Chapter:

This section dives deeper into Maxence Lacroix’s biography. While we’ve already shared some key facts about the Crystal Palace signing for the season (2024/2025), here you’ll discover more about what makes him such a hot topic among football fans.

Maxence Lacroix’s Salary:

The Towering Defender currently earns £50,000 gross per week. Did you know that Maxence Lacroix is on the same pay radar as Trevoh Chalobah and Jean-Philippe Mateta? While Adam Wharton goes home with £35,000, as per reports from Capology.

Maxence Lacroix’s Religion:

The Crystal Palace new boy believes in Jesus, and his faith is a big part of his life and football career. The French footballer shares Bible verses and talks about his love for Jesus on places like Twitter and Instagram. He shares verses like Romans 10:9 and Psalms 73:28 because they are important to him and show his love for God.

Maxence’s faith is also part of his football career. He wears the number 4 on his shirt because it reminds him of a special verse from the Bible, Psalm 23:4. The verse says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil; for you are with me.” This helps the centre back remember that God is always with him, even when things are hard.

Maxence Lacroix’s FC25:

The defender is like Kevin Danso and Dean Huijsen, athletes known for their defensive power attributes. As a centre-back, he is really good at stopping the other team from scoring by making wise decisions. Maxence is also good at tackling—whether standing or sliding—winning the ball back when it’s most needed. He has excellent timing, with a standing tackle of 79 and a sliding tackle of 80.

Lacroix is also speedy. His speed helps him react quickly and run after the ball. He can keep up with fast players thanks to his sprint speed of 92 and acceleration of 82. While he might not be the most agile (64) or balanced (56), his quick reactions (77) help him stay in control and adapt to the game.

With the way he is rising, Maxence could reach the level of Ibrahima Konate and Antonio Rudiger. He is a tough, quick player who knows how to read the game, making him a great defender. His speed and strong tackles make him a valuable player on the field.

End Note:

The rookie started playing football in Limeyrat when he was six. At first, he played as a goalkeeper, trying to stop the ball from going into the net. But when he turned 13 and joined the Bordeaux youth academy, he moved up the field to play as a striker, trying to score goals instead.

When Maxence was 15, he joined the Sochaux youth team. At first, they made him play in the attacking midfield, then as a defensive midfielder. Later, they decided his best spot was as a centre-back, the player who defends near the goal.

On the 21st of August, 2017, Maxence signed his first big contract with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, starting his professional football journey. A year later, on the 22nd of December 2018, he played his first professional match for Sochaux in Ligue 2. His team won 1-0 against FC Lorient.

Lacroix went on to Germany’s Bundesliga Wolfsburg with Omar Marmoush. Despite the language barrier as a French man, it didn’t stop him from showing off his talents. Having conquered the German league, the centre-back set his sights on the English league with Crystal Palace.

Thank You:

With gratitude in our hearts, we are grateful for reading about Maxence Lacroix’s biography. Please let us know if you see anything that doesn’t seem right or if something is unclear in this story. We also want your thoughts about Giorgio Scalvini and Murillo’s story. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Maxence Lacroix and the bright future that lies ahead of him in the world of football. What do you think about his journey and potential?