Maxime Chanot says he cannot describe the depth of his love for New York City Football Club.
The Luxembourg defender stands as our longest-serving player, having joined the Boys in Blue back in 2016.
Speaking ahead of his eighth season in Bronx blue, he expressed his pride to have played a key role in our recent success, declaring he fell in love with the Club on day one and has never looked back.
“I never get the chance to reflect because I’m always so focused on season after season, but somebody recently asked me why I made the choice to join NYCFC back in the day, and I said: ‘I just had this feeling this Club would be good for me,’” Chanot explained.
“I made the right choice. I love this Club so much, I’ve loved it since day one. I can’t really tell you, I don’t think people understand how much.
“The most important thing for me now is to play this season, to try and help the team and give back everything the Club have given to me – to give as much as I can, try to be as good as I can and help the other players.
“NYCFC is part of my family. I spent more time at this Club than with my family. I love this Club so much and I now want to win another trophy again. It’s what everybody at this Club deserves – they’ve been fantastic since day one.”
**In a recent interview with the Club’s official website**, Chanot spoke of his pride for his responsibility as a champion of NYCFC culture, raising standards and highlighting the expectations of a New York City player.
The 33-year-old says it is a role he holds in the highest honor and with the utmost professionalism.
“For me, nothing has changed – I have had this role for a few years now,” he added. “It was the same in my first seasons at the Club.
“Obviously, my role now is to guide the young kids, especially because we have lost some key players. That’s my role, I’m very happy with that and I’m very happy to stay at the Club and provide the young players, and rest of the players, with my experience.”
Chanot’s guidance will be a crucial component in helping to strengthen the mentality and enhance the camaraderie of the squad, ahead of the new 2023 season.
With the Boys in Blue currently enjoying a preseason training camp in California, **Head Coach Nick Cushing stated he is pleased with the players’ progress and application** – a sentiment echoed by Chanot, who asserts the Boys in Blue will be ready and raring to go come the MLS season opener.
“This is why preseason exists – to create a chemistry,” he added. “The most important thing is to be ready for the game against Nashville, we have four weeks ahead of us, and I’m 100% sure we’re going to be ready.
“We will work the same way. We know the way to play and I’m sure we will be ready, whoever will start on the pitch.
“Being at this Club for a long time, I’ve been in this situation a few times. Right now, we’ve lost some key players but we have enough good players in this squad to compete, and try to win a trophy.
“We've seen in the past the Club have done a fantastic job of finding the right players in the right spots, so I know we will have a competitive squad to compete with the best in MLS.
“The most important thing is to create chemistry, to work hard in preseason and to have a good season. That will be very important for the Club and for ourselves.”
NYCFC will kick off the 2023 MLS season on Feb. 25 when we visit Nashville SC at GEODIS Park (4:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).
