10 fun facts about Allan Saint-Maximin

Allan Saint-Maximin is a professional footballer from France. He currently serves as a winger for Al-Ahli, a club in the Saudi Pro League. Prior to joining Al-Ahli, he played for several renowned clubs including Saint-Étienne, Monaco, Nice, and Newcastle United.

Saint-Maximin’s football journey began at a young age of six when he started playing for his local club, Les Ulis. In 2013, he joined the youth ranks of Saint-Étienne, where he honed his skills and attracted the attention of scouts from various European clubs.

Despite making only one appearance for the first team of Saint-Étienne, he was quickly signed by Monaco in 2015. However, he was immediately loaned out to gain more playing time. He first joined Hannover 96, featuring in 18 games and scoring once during a challenging relegation campaign.

Later, he moved to SC Bastia, a team in the then-Ligue 1, where he made 36 appearances and scored three goals, despite their eventual relegation. After securing the league title, he made his return to Monaco. However, due to the limited opportunities for regular playing time, he only managed to participate in two matches before being transferred to OGC Nice.

During his time at Nice, he played under the guidance of Lucien Favre for one season, followed by Patrick Vieira, and the team finished in seventh and eighth place respectively. It was his impressive speed and direct style of play that caught the attention of Newcastle, who acquired him for a reported fee of £16.5m in August 2019.

Since joining St. James’ Park, he has quickly become a beloved figure among the fans, thanks to his fearless dribbling and natural flair. In his debut season, he made 26 appearances, scoring three goals and providing four assists. He has continued to be a crucial player for the club, playing a pivotal role in helping the Magpies avoid relegation in the past two seasons. Furthermore, under the guidance of Eddie Howe, the team has made significant progress, recently reaching their first cup final in 22 years and remaining in contention for a spot in the Champions League. Here are 10 fun facts about Allan Saint-Maximin.

1. Comes from a comfortable home

Saint-Maximin’s grew up in a fairly well-off family and did not face financial difficulties during his upbringing. His mother held the position of education director at a prestigious school on the outskirts of Paris, while his father was employed as an office administrator at Paris Diderot University.

2. A gym enthusiast

Saint-Maximin is undoubtedly a top-tier professional athlete with a strong physique to uphold. Despite this, he is a devoted family man who enjoys quality time at home. With a fully equipped gym in his residence, he actively engages his children in workouts, showcasing a distinctive fitness approach that helps him stay fit for his dynamic forward runs.

3. Loves to look good

Allan Saint-Maximin is known for his fashion sense. It is not uncommon to spot him frequently sharing pictures of his haircuts, experimenting with various hairstyles, and consistently opting for fresh and eye-catching looks, both on and off the field.

Undoubtedly, he possesses a keen awareness of his attractive features and knows how to present himself in the best possible manner. He has successfully managed to prioritize his exceptional playing abilities over his hair, as evidenced by his utilization of a designer headband to keep his dreadlocks in place.

4. A dribble king

Saint-Maximin has proven to be the most skilled dribbler in Europe, supported by statistics that show he led in completed take-ons across the top-five leagues in Europe throughout 2022. This achievement places him ahead of notable players such as Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Vinicius Junior.

His exceptional balance, precise control in confined areas, quick touches, and deceptive moves allow him to swiftly change direction while maintaining possession. As a result, he poses a constant threat to opposing defenders, making him a formidable and unpredictable force on the field.

5. Compared to Ronaldinho

Saint-Maximin, unquestionably one of the most captivating players in the Premier League, has frequently drawn comparisons to Brazilian icon Ronaldinho due to his flashy playing style.

Both players are renowned for their superb dribbling abilities, creativity, showmanship, and flair on the pitch. They also share similar off-field passions like dance, music, fashion, and unconventional hairstyles, although the Frenchman has not yet been involved in any notorious party incidents.

6. Friend of Ben Arfa

Allan Saint-Maximin and Ben Arfa are known to have a close friendship. Additionally, prior to his arrival at Newcastle, Saint-Maximin reached out to his fellow countryman for guidance. Saint-Maximin openly admires Ben Arfa’s exceptional dribbling skills and considers him as a role model.

7. Gifted a fan Rolex watch

During the first day of the ongoing Premier League season, Saint-Maximin delivered an outstanding performance in the victory over Nottingham Forest, leaving the newly-promoted team’s defense in awe.

Yet, it was what happened after the game that truly amazed a Newcastle supporter. As he exited the stadium, the French player revealed a gleaming Rolex watch and gifted it to a shocked fan named Steve Dutton. This gesture was truly remarkable, and Steve Dutton was left speechless by the unexpected generosity.

8. Launched his own board game called “Helios”

Saint-Maximin, apart from his football career, engages in various activities and recently introduced his own board game. Inspired by the gods and Greek mythological tales during his childhood, the Frenchman’s passion for board games grew stronger while playing with his young family. After dedicating two and a half years to its creation, Helios became a resounding success among his fellow Newcastle teammates.

9. Loves the Karate Kid movie

Saint-Maximin has expressed his deep admiration for the Karate Kid film. During an interview with GOAL, he enthusiastically discussed his love for this iconic movie, featuring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. Interestingly, the footballer disclosed that the film served as the inspiration behind his stylish headbands and distinctive dreadlocks.

10. He loves anime

In addition to his passion for the Karate Kid, the talented Newcastle forward is an avid fan of Japanese anime series and manga. He has openly expressed his admiration for the renowned Dragon Ball Z in various interviews.