Max Larour-Debonneuil '24 Recruiting Profile

*Currently studying in Versailles, France; normally live in Hawthorne, California attending El Segundo High School*

Having played soccer since I was four years old, soccer is one of my oldest passions that I've enjoyed and grown experience from for more than a decade. However, soccer is not just a hobby or even a passion to me. 

As a trilingual player living in France (moved from California in summer 2021, previously went to school in the El Segundo Unified School District), with family and friends who all love the sport, I was introduced at a young age to soccer and have enjoyed every step onto a pitch since then. A huge influence in my introduction to the sport at such a young age were my two uncles, who competed at the highest level of youth French soccer. Over the years, I have learned from them and grown a huge passion and competitive drive.

Through soccer, I've learned to create relationships with others that allow my team(s) to succeed, which in turn allow me to succeed. My best friends have always been teammates and soccer players, and we've always bonded together to support each other and strive to improve. With their help and the help of my coaches, I've learned the value and link between results and commitment: that commitment doesn't always lead to success, but it will always lead to an opportunity for growth.

My goal is to take my learning to the next level as a player, scholar, and person. I believe that through soccer I can achieve not only my athletic goals, but also my social and academic dreams. With my hard work ethic and determination to tackle challenges that come at me, I'm not only capable but also determined to face down any obstacles that come between me and my success on a college team.

Although I am not quite sure which field I'd like to pursue, I have found myself very interested in careers in sports management. I've always enjoyed highly detailed subjects, with STEM subjects being my strengths. From a young age, I have been advanced in my school's mathematics program, having completed Algebra 2 Honors as a freshman in the US and attending a particularly challenging school in France.

In addition to my strengths in STEM subjects, I am also known by my teammates, friends, and peers to be an avid communicator, generally being a happy and positive person willing to help others to analyze how they and the team can improve. When needed, I can take up a leadership role as I do as a center-midfielder, being open-minded and inclusive.

I believe that all these strengths as well as my knowledge and ability to learn the tactical side of sports make my interests in sports management realistic. However, I am determined to continue my education in the STEM field as well, as I also have particular interests in biomedical sciences and medicine.

Finally, to make my dreams possible, I have plans to grow my experience in sports and the sciences all while helping my community. I have plans to take a course to become a referee to make sure younger children are able to play the sport that they love. I also have plans to join internships involving sports management and STEM fields to explore my interests and decide on what I truly want to pursue.

Footballing Traits:

- Throughout my time as a soccer player, I have played nearly every single position. Although I mainly play in midfield, I have also played as an inverted winger, pressing forward, poacher, and center back, as well as to a limited extent fullback and goalkeeper.

- I have a natural adeptness for the tactical aspect of soccer: I am very familiar with common strategies, formations, positioning, and having played nearly every position understand the game well on and off the field. This tactical adeptness allows me to read the game well and predict opposition moves, as well as understand and link up with my teammates.

- I am a natural communicator on the field and am often very loud, using my tactical skills to organize attacks and the defense, as well as encouraging and advising teammates.