Maxence Lacroix, the 26-year-old Crystal Palace centre-back, started for France in their World Cup group-stage match against Norway on June 26, 2026. Lacroix earned his first senior call-up to the French national team back in March 2026. William Saliba’s back injury opened the door.
From Wolfsburg to the World Cup
Lacroix moved from Wolfsburg to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024 for €18 million. Born on April 6, 2000, Lacroix has spent the past two seasons establishing himself as one of the more reliable defenders in the Premier League. The World Cup start against Norway, a match that also featured the curious decision to bench Erling Haaland for Norway, was validation on the biggest stage.
Transfer speculation has already linked Lacroix with a potential €55 million move to Chelsea after the tournament wraps up. That’s roughly three times what Crystal Palace paid for him two years ago.
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