Maxence Lacroix #26

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Through his words and his actions, you get the impression that Lacroix is very selfless. Through an initiative from his club, Crystal Palace, he has given out bags of clothes to homeless people in south London and he has also participated in development projects in his native village of Ajat. "I grew up watching my mother, a doctor, being at other people's service," Lacroix told L'Équipe. "So I have always had this idea that helping others was the most beautiful thing that you can do. I don't see it as a chore but rather an activity that makes me flourish.” He has also been in the business of making dreams come true. He recalls being stopped by an elderly man on the street who, after Palace's semi-final victory in the FA Cup last year, told him that he wanted to see Palace win a trophy before he died. Lacroix said that he thought of that man when Palace lifted the trophy at Wembley. Having arrived in London from Wolfsburg in 2024, Lacroix only had two caps by the time he was called up for the World Cup squad.

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