Allan Saint-Maximin, the French winger, chose to speak out after his children faced racial abuse this year, emphasizing that "whatever your colour is, you don't have to accept this." In a heartfelt statement to BBC Sport, he highlighted the importance of addressing such issues, stating that hatred and discrimination have no place in our society.

In January, Saint-Maximin shared a powerful message on Instagram that garnered over 159,000 likes from fans and former teammates like Kieran Trippier and Joelinton. Although he did not delve into specifics, he mentioned that incidents occurred while playing for Club America in Mexico, where he encountered troubling situations involving his children at school.

Saint-Maximin recalled, "I explained to the kids what happened was not normal and they knew already. They were not really happy about that." His reflections included a recognition that such issues exist everywhere, including in his native France. He advised his children, "it's something they don't have to accept."

In response to the situation, Club America expressed their support for Saint-Maximin and his family, stating they stand in "absolute solidarity" with them. Additionally, his teammates displayed a 'No to racism' banner before a match against Necaxa, reinforcing their commitment to combating discrimination.

Saint-Maximin, who recently joined Lens on a short-term deal, contributed to the club’s historic victory in the French Cup and a second-place finish in Ligue 1. This summer, he opted for a move to Major League Soccer side Charlotte, prioritizing family over other offers. He acknowledged, "My family have always followed me to every single place, so this time was more of a family choice."

Now under the guidance of former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, Saint-Maximin aims to entertain Charlotte supporters and build a legacy, stating, "To see some robot play doesn't make sense to me."