Attending the Golden Kid ceremony in Paris, Get French Football News had the opportunity to speak with Stade Rennais’ Ludovic Blas about the importance of recognising the next generation of footballers and his commitment to youth football in Martinique.
What does presenting an award at this Golden Kid ceremony mean to you?
It’s important because we didn’t have that opportunity in my day—to experience and take part in this sort of ceremony. I also wanted to mark the occasion, as it opens doors for the years to come.
Why does recognising young talent hold such special significance for you?
Having been through it myself, I would have loved to have enjoyed this kind of moment. It’s a positive, important moment in a young player’s career.
As someone who rubs shoulders with and plays against the country’s best young talents, do you think the reputation of French youth development – regarded as one of the best in the world – is deserved?
Of course! France has an incredible pool of talent. You only have to look at the number and quality of young players coming through the youth academies. It’s really something that needs to be highlighted, because it’s absolutely sensational.
What advice would you give to a young player hoping to build a professional career?
It’s a recipe with many ingredients. Hard work, lots of hard work, and believing in yourself, time and time again. Another important thing is not to forget to enjoy yourself. You’re entering a world where everything is rigid, structured, down to the last detail. Football is, above all, a game. And it’s vital to remember that.
As an ambassador for the LB Cup (a competition exclusively dedicated to young players from Martinique in the U14 and U15 age groups), why was it important for you to get involved in youth football?
These are young players and I’m aware that it’s difficult for them to leave Martinique to come to a training centre in mainland France to build a career like mine. My aim is to make a difference, to help the younger generation. My family helps me; I have contacts there. These are things we’re trying to organise in the best possible way.
What do you hope to offer these young people through the LB Cup?
Above all, a lot of visibility. That’s what’s mainly lacking in Martinique. And when I say Martinique, I’m also including the other overseas departments. It’s really difficult when you’re far from mainland France. We need to try and find solutions for young people. And that’s exactly what we’re trying to do. I grew up in the Paris region and never faced this sort of problem. The differences are striking.
I’m aware of what daily life is like there; my family lives there, and I go there every summer… As soon as we had the chance to set things up, we did so straight away. Today, my ambition is to build a real bridge to the professional world. That’s something very important to me.
What message do you want to convey through the LB Cup?
It’s a tournament with a talent-spotting feel to it. But the idea is for everyone to have a good day, for everyone to come together. There are artists coming along. I want people to have the chance to escape their daily lives for a few hours. I want to make a difference.