The France U17 team in February, a 3-year pro contract in August and a first tenure in L2 during the 1st day in Chambly (3-0)… Jaouen Hadjam (17 years old), a high school student in the final six years accelerated months.
"I was first upgraded to U19, I performed well and everything went very quickly, I did not even go through the reserve", says the left side, 2nd boy of four siblings who lives in Alfortville (94).
His parents Hadj and Fatiha, of Algerian origin, admit having "shed their little tear in front of their screen" when they saw their son start in L2.
“It's impressive to hear the commentator pronounce his son's name,” explains the father, a market trader.
I thought of his deceased grandfather who was following him and who would have been proud.
His selection for the French team was a source of great pride for our whole family.
In two minutes, everything came back, we rewound our route, the sacrifices, the traffic jams to accompany it.
His efforts paid off.
»Since his beginnings, Jaouen has been surrounded by his family.
“Basically, I was not a football fan, I was more focused on combat sports, admits his father.
But we have always supported him.
At the beginning, I did not know this world, these risks.
But over time, we realize that it is an environment where we must always keep an eye on our children.
"
The big brother Rais (20 years old) who plays at Atlético Paris is also very present at his side and plays an "essential role" according to Jaouen.
"When he plays, I often shout this sentence at him:
take your responsibilities, it's a bit of our ritual,"
smiles his brother, a station agent at Orly.
His mother Fatiha, who acts in the shadows - "I am the invisible woman" she smiles - remembers the beginnings in Champagne-sur-Oise (95): "He was 6 years old, from the first training, we m 'Said that something was going on with Jaouen that he was very strong.
In Alfortville, a trainer warned me:
as Rais is good at studying, he could become an agent to take care of Jaouen because he will go far.
I told him that he was only 10 years old… And he said to me: things could go faster than expected.
This sentence stuck with me. "
"I have no hard feelings or frustration for not having broken through at PSG"
In U12, Jaouen had joined PSG after a large detection.
"They were 800 at the start, only two remained," explains his father, who made the back and forth trips from Alfortville to St Germain-en-Laye, to accompany him several times a week.
“He was doing his homework in the car.
It was tiring for him.
But while he was selected for the pre-training center, he decides to leave PSG after a year.
“It's a personal and family choice,” explains Jaouen.
I have no hard feelings or frustration for not having broken through at PSG.
It is an important passage in my evolution.
If I had stayed, I'm not sure I would have been pro at 17.
"
He then joined Créteil while being in parallel with the hope pole of Reims.
“The coach in Reims made him pass from attacker to defender, at the beginning he sulked and, we, either, we did not really understand this change, remembers his father.
But he was right.
“Arrived at the PFC training center in 2018, he rose through the ranks until his first professional contract at barely 17 years old when he was followed by many big clubs, especially abroad.
“My selection for the France team triggered a lot of things and changed my status, he admits.
I am happy to have signed in my training club and in my region.
"
“We thought of a career before the financial aspect,” says his father.
Jaouen is very mature for his age and has his head on his shoulders.
We remain very vigilant.
He only passed one step, he has to work to confirm.
"Even on vacation, he trains and pays attention to his lifestyle, there are no mysteries," adds his cousin Bachir.
“During my first friendly match with the pros, I was stressed, admits Jaouen.
But I was given confidence.
The same against Chambly.
I will give my all to play as much as possible in L2.
»This year, his other challenge will be to pass his baccalaureate.
"Even if he is now a professional footballer, it is mandatory and not negotiable," warns his mother, smiling.