FC Nantes 'keeper and captain Alban Lafont may still be 22 years of age but he has all the maturity and experience needed to lead Les Canaris on the pitch and off. Interview...
Alban Lafont has been frustrating France's forwards for what feels like an age already - he has already played more than 200 games at senior level, a quite incredible record for a 22-year-old goalkeeper.
"Ever since I started playing I've been one of the youngest, that's just how it is! I don't pay much attention to age, performances are more important. Of course you have to maintain a certain respect for the older lads, but out on the pitch you say what you want!"
Early start
Lafont made his professional debut in November 2015 - two months before his 17th birthday! Not only did he become the youngest goalkeeper ever to appear in Ligue 1 Uber Eats that day, he equally kept a clean sheet for a Toulouse side that had conceded 11 times in their previous four matches.
Learning the ropes as a teenager helped the French U21 international grow into a natural leader, and as of this season, a captain - he now wears the armband for eight-time French champions Nantes.
"I'm very lucky to have started playing at such a young age. Now I'm captain of FC Nantes, and I'm delighted all this has happened to me so young," he told the Ligue 1 Show. "It's not because I wear the armband that others aren't allowed to talk. It could be a 16-year-old who breaks on to the scene and performs well, so long as he brings something new, something fresh to the table… Everyone has to offer a form of leadership and a will to win!"
'Make sure you are respected'
Making himself heard is something Lafont has never been afraid of, a trait that comes naturally to any man acting as the last line of defence.
"Goalkeeper is a bit of a unique position. We train separately from the squad, we're slightly cast aside and we need to communicate, we need to shout! That's part of the job! You have to make sure you are respected, so that can lead naturally to the captaincy."
Playing in such a special position, where pressure is a constant and the slightest mistake makes headlines, means goalkeepers have a natural bond between them.
"I think there is solidarity; we respect each other, no doubt about that," said the young star. "After every game we have a chat. We talk about the game, about the season ahead. Wishing each other the best of luck both for their team and on a personal level!"
Fan boy
And just because he has been a star from an early age, doesn't mean that Lafont isn't a fan boy like any other youngster - as was the case when he met OM legend Steve Mandanda.
"The first time I played against Steve, I spoke to him and it was a special moment because he is a goalkeeper I have always followed," recalled Lafont. "To play against him and to be able to have a chat with him was a great opportunity!"
Aim higher
Despite his maturity, consistency and talent, some fans still ponder whether Lafont could not already be doing better than he is. Tough for a goalkeeper already performing at the highest level - but fair, according to the man himself…
"It's understandable because I started pretty young," he laughed. "People still expect more of me! But being a goalkeeper is a little different, you need maturity, consistency from season to season and playing time, especially as a youngster. I started young so people want more from me. I don't have much room for error!"
Nantes take on visiting Clermont in their Round 11 fixture at 15:00 GMT on Saturday.