ULTRA MAG | ISSUE 10 - LEO LACROIX

We were lucky enough to sit down with A-League Champion Leo Lacroix to chat winning the league, playing against Mbappe & his journey in football. 

Leo was born in Switzerland & is of Brazilian descent through his mother - someone who is no longer with him in person but will forever remain an inspiration & role model to Leo. 

"She was so important for me... She has helped me a lot... Today I'm a little bit sad because she fought with me to be a professional player & when I signed my first contract she passed so she can not live this moment I'm living now but I'm sure she is in the best place in the world to see me everyday & to watch my games" 

Who did you Idolise growing up? 

"I grew up watching the World Cup... Ronaldo was phenomenal, I was a striker when I first started to play football & Adriano was for me the person, he was unbelievable. 

Then I started to grow and it was players like Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos, Van Dijk now is someone I look up to" 

Who's the toughest opponent you've come up against? 

"Cavani because he moves so well, hes fast, he has thing feeling in front of goal... Mbappe as well, I remember playing in Monaco he was 16 or 17 years old and he made one run behind me and the other defender didn't cover for me, trying to catch him was impossible"

How special was playing in the Champions League? 

"Its special yeah, I think when you know they are big games & everyone is watching, just listen to the music... When I was in Basel, the whole week training with the Champions League ball, this is a dream & then all around the stadium you see the lights you see the Champions League posters its special" 

What about fashion? Is that something you love or do you leave it up to your wife? 

"No I love fashion a lot but she's loves too, and sometimes I ask her advice, like with crocs, I had no faith in crocs but now I wear them all the time... You know fashion & style, you feel good and you get to match clothes together"

How're you finding Australia? How did the move come about?

"I had the opportunity to come here 2 years ago when Victory called me but I wasn't feeling vibes, I was not ready to make the long travel, especially during covid... And then Diamanti called me, I don't know how many times, telling me come here, this club is new, we can do something special... Diamanti was the key for me" 

Was it hard convincing the family to make the move? 

"It was not easy but I said we can do it for the kids, they can learn English & they can see something else, we can see one country we never go to for a holiday and yeah lets do something different" 

Do you think you can win the season again next year? 

"Yeah well I have one more year on my contract, but in football you never know what's going to happen, you know today am here with you guys, and tomorrow I can be I don't know where... For now I'm just focussed on spending time with the family, relaxing and I will give my best for Western United next season" 

What's it been like working with John Aloisi?

"I think what he did this year was unbelievable because like I said its not easy 3 years without training, its difficult to come back & have respect from the players & to give confidence because you lose 3 years & the football everyday is changing... He did very well & all the staff, foxy, yeah everyone did an amazing job...I think we deserve & fought for the win this season.