Allan Saint-Maximin says protecting his family became more important than staying silent after his children were subjected to racist abuse earlier this year.
The French winger publicly addressed the issue in January, using social media to condemn racism and discrimination. His message drew widespread support, including from former Newcastle United team-mates Kieran Trippier and Joelinton.
Saint-Maximin has not disclosed full details of what happened, but said incidents involving his children at school occurred while he was playing for Mexican club Club America. The experience forced him to explain to them that the behaviour they encountered was unacceptable and should never be treated as normal.
He stressed that the problem was not unique to Mexico, noting that racism can occur in many countries, including France. For Saint-Maximin, the priority was making sure his children understood they should never feel obliged to tolerate discrimination.
Club America publicly backed the player and his family after the incident, while his team-mates also displayed an anti-racism banner before a match against Necaxa.
Saint-Maximin has made clear he does not blame the club, its players or Mexican supporters. He remains positive about his time with Club America and described Mexico as one of the places where his family had felt most comfortable.
However, he felt the situation had reached a point where he needed to act once his children became involved. Despite the professional and financial consequences of leaving, he believed standing against the abuse was more important.
Family Shapes Saint-Maximin’s Next Move
After returning to France, Saint-Maximin joined Lens on a short-term contract during the second half of last season.
He helped the club complete a historic campaign, with Lens winning the French Cup for the first time in their 120-year history and finishing second in Ligue 1.
The 29-year-old attracted several offers during the summer but ultimately chose a move to Major League Soccer with Charlotte.
This time, the decision was heavily influenced by his family. Saint-Maximin’s relatives have followed him throughout a career that has taken him across several countries, and he wanted his next move to reflect their needs after years of support.
At Charlotte, he has joined a team managed by former Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith. Saint-Maximin appreciates Smith’s direct approach and wants to play a central role in helping the club progress.
As one of Charlotte’s designated players, he is expected to be one of the squad’s leading figures. His ambitions extend beyond individual performances, with the winger keen to leave a lasting impact while helping team-mates develop.
Entertainment remains an important part of his football philosophy. Saint-Maximin has built his career around unpredictability, dribbling and attacking flair, and he has no intention of becoming a purely system-driven player.
Newcastle Remains Close to His Heart
That individuality made Saint-Maximin a hugely popular figure during his four years at Newcastle United.
He joined from Nice in 2019 and quickly developed a strong relationship with supporters during a period when Newcastle were frequently fighting to preserve their Premier League status.
The pressure of those relegation battles stayed with him. Saint-Maximin understood that poor results affected more than just the players, with jobs across the club potentially at risk if Newcastle dropped out of the top flight.
His connection with the city went beyond football. He supported the Newcastle foodbank and became known for giving gifts to supporters, including luxury watches.
For Saint-Maximin, the backing he received from Newcastle fans was one of the strongest sources of motivation in his career. He felt their energy whenever he carried the ball forward and believes that type of support can push players beyond their normal limits.
His final season on Tyneside ended with Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League in 2023 before he moved to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.
During his career after leaving England, Saint-Maximin also worked with Matthias Jaissle, who was appointed Newcastle head coach this summer following Eddie Howe’s departure.
Saint-Maximin hopes Jaissle enjoys the same strong relationship with the city that he experienced himself.
Despite receiving opportunities to return to the Premier League, Saint-Maximin says his loyalty to Newcastle has influenced his decisions. He still follows the club closely and regards it as the team with which he formed the deepest emotional connection of his career.
Now beginning another chapter in Charlotte, Saint-Maximin is balancing those memories with a fresh objective: giving his family stability, standing firmly against discrimination and bringing the same expressive style that made him such a popular figure on Tyneside.