Maxence Lacroix
Active- Current or last club
- Chelsea
- Country (nationality)
- France
- League or competition
- Premier League
- Position
- Centre-back
- How is the religion known?
- Stated publicly by the player
In this interview, Maxence shares how encountering Jesus Christ transformed his life, gave him a new identity, and filled him with a hope that goes far beyond the sport.
We list a player’s religion only where they have spoken about it publicly or it has been reliably reported, and we link our sources. If something is wrong, or a player’s views have changed, please tell us and we will review it.
Table of Contents
What religion is Maxence Lacroix?
Maxence Lacroix is a French professional footballer who is a devoted Christian. Lacroix has spoken openly about his faith, sharing that although he did not grow up in a religious household, a personal encounter with Jesus Christ completely transformed his life a few years ago.
He frequently refers to Jesus as the absolute foundation of his life, noting that his faith brings him stability, peace, and resilience through the intense highs and lows of professional football. Lacroix was also seen carrying his Bible in a warm-up game for the World Cup.
Maxence Lacroix plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Chelsea and the France national team. He began his senior career with the French club Sochaux during the 2018–19 season. When he signed with Chelsea in July 2026, Lacroix entered into a six-year contract running until 2032. Chelsea paid a reported fee of £52 million to acquire him from Crystal Palace.
Early life
Maxence Lacroix was born on 6 April 2000 in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France, to a mother from Madagascar and a father from Guadeloupe. He began his football career in the youth academy of the French club Sochaux and subsequently signed his first professional contract with the club in August 2017 at age 17. In August 2020, Lacroix joined Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg for a transfer fee of €5 million.
Career
On 25 August 2020, Lacroix joined VfL Wolfsburg on a four-year deal. During the 2020–21 season, he played 3 matches in the UEFA Europa League qualifying and scored 1 goal for Wolfsburg. After four seasons with Wolfsburg, on 30 August 2024, Lacroix signed for Premier League club Crystal Palace for £18 million on a five-year deal. Four months later, on 7 December, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Manchester City. On 17 May 2025, Palace defeated Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley Stadium to win their first major trophy in the club’s history, with Lacroix starting and completing the full match in a composed defensive display. During his two seasons with Crystal Palace, Lacroix made a total of 98 appearances, contributing 4 goals and 4 assists, and helped the team keep 31 clean sheets. He won the FA Cup, Community Shield, and UEFA Conference League with the club.
On 30 July 2026, Lacroix signed a six-year contract with Chelsea until 2032 for a reported deal of £52 million. On 24 August 2026, he provided an assist on his Premier League debut to help Chelsea secure a 3-2 away victory against Fulham, setting up fellow debutant Morgan Rogers.
International career
Lacroix began representing France on the France national under-16 team in 2016. He moved up to the under-17 team in 2017, where he played in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup. As part of his youth development, he also progressed through the under-18 and under-20 squads.
Lacroix was called up to the France senior squad for the first time in 2026, making his senior international debut in March against Brazil. Later that year, he was selected to represent his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where he made three structural appearances as France fought their way to a fourth-place finish.
Personal life
Lacroix’s father, originally from Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean, worked as an amateur goalkeeper and coach. His mother, of Malagasy descent from Madagascar, is a doctor and nutritionist.
Sources
- Interview (opens in a new tab) Jesus My Goal, 2026
Sources are linked so you can check each claim yourself. Beliefs and public statements can change, so please check the source for the latest.
