Central African international striker Louis Mafouta has immediately made an impression at Le Mans FC with his personal slogan 'On ne joue pas avec le travail' (We don't play with work). The 26-year-old forward, signed last summer, revealed the origins of this motto in an interview reported by actu.fr this week. His unconventional career path, from the French fourth tier to Ligue 1 via Switzerland and Greece, explains this philosophy rooted in hard work.
Le Mans FC currently sits 13th in the Ligue 1 standings with one point from the first two matchdays. The team has scored four goals but conceded five, resulting in a -1 goal difference. They trail league leaders AS Monaco by eight points. The next challenge is a home fixture against RC Lens, who are 7th, on September 13, a important match to get back on track.
What is the origin of the 'On ne joue pas avec le travail' slogan?
Louis Mafouta first displayed a shirt with the slogan 'On ne joue pas avec le travail' in 2023 during his time at Amiens SC. The idea, however, was older. "I think that in high-level football, if you play with work, it will play with you," he stated. "There is no secret: if you work tirelessly, the results bear fruit."
For the striker, this phrase encapsulates his mindset and his journey. He believes this mentality must be daily for a professional footballer and that it's important to show it to younger players. After two Ligue 1 matchdays, Mafouta found himself as the league's joint-top scorer with Esteban Lepaul, a performance that validates his approach. The team will have to manage without Erwan Colas, Nicolas Kocik, and Samuel Yohou, all currently sidelined with injuries, as listed on our injuries page.
Why does Louis Mafouta say his career could be a movie?
Louis Mafouta's path to the top flight is anything but straightforward. Hailing from Beaumont-sur-Oise, he was not developed in a professional academy. "My career, you could make a movie out of it," he shared. After starting in the fourth division with Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, he faced several rejections from training centers, decisions he partly attributes to his physique.
His perseverance led him to juggle football with a job as a school activity leader in Senlis, then to move abroad to Neuchâtel Xamax in Switzerland, where he scored 26 goals in 55 matches. A brief stint in Ligue 1 with FC Metz in 2022 preceded seasons in Ligue 2 with Quevilly-Rouen, Amiens, and Guingamp. A season in Greece with Panserraikos also marked this winding journey before his arrival at Le Mans FC.
How did his experience shape his mentality?
Working alongside football left a deep mark on Louis Mafouta. "I haven't always lived off football. I know what it's like to get up at 6 in the morning and finish late," he explained. This concrete experience of the working world instilled in him a cardinal value: discipline. His eldest brother accompanied him throughout this adventure, providing constant support.
Today, in Ligue 1 with Le Mans FC, he applies the same work ethic. Manager Patrick Videira can rely on a forward whose versatility and eye for goal have already surprised observers this early in the season. The club, which was active in the transfer market, hopes this mentality will yield collective results. Fans can track the squad's development in our squad section.
The immediate challenge for Mafouta and his teammates is to find the first win of the season. It could come on September 13 at the MMArena, against an in-form RC Lens. This home game represents a great opportunity to climb the standings. The match is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
