Han-Noah Massengo stands on the sidelines of the astroturf at Bridge Learning Campus in south Bristol watching the next generation of L'esperance Aulneysienne talent playing in a football match with local teenagers. .
The Bristol City midfielder, 21, paid the costs to fly former coaches and youth players aged 12 to 13 from his boyhood side on the outskirts of Paris to Bristol so the children can experience a new country and culture - some of who would never get that opportunity.
Playing in their traditional green, the young players are put through their training drills before taking to the field, spraying the ball around the pitch as their coach continues to give them instructions from the sidelines.
"We wanted to give them the opportunity to see new stuff, some of these players have never taken a plane, never been to a new country and I thought it would have been a nice opportunity for them," Massengo says as he reminisces of his time playing for the club as a youngster.
"It's bringing back good memories, one of the coaches here, my Dad was his coach and then he was my coach. I'm always happy to answer questions, when you are young you always have so many questions."
Massengo played for L'esperance Aulneysienne from the age of eight until 13 before Monaco became aware of his sky-high potential. The kick-about with teenagers from PL Kicks, a programme that uses the power of football to connect with young people in deprived areas, comes on the day after the Frenchman was crowned the Community Player of the Year for his continued contribution around the area.
"I just feel like that is what I want to do," he added. "I owe them that because as a football player you have privileges and I can't waste that.
"I can't have this benefit just for myself, if I can help then I'm always happy to help." Massengo is a real gem to the community, often handing out pairs of boots and merchandise to those less fortunate than himself. On Saturday, he lent his camera to a budding young journalist looking to create content to help kick-start his career.
Those values were instilled in him from a young age, particularly during his time with L'esperance Aulneysienne where his old manager Brahima Traore was previously coached by Massengo's dad.
Traore stands in his club tracksuit as he explains: "Being modest was all part of the values of the club that they try to transmit to the young players.
"You can have a good game on Saturday and the next week have a bad game so obviously you always have to keep yourself in check and humility is always part of the learning process."
L'esperance Aulneysienne, founded in 1992, is situated in Villepinte on the outskirts of Paris where Massengo was born. He initially played for Villepinte before joining Sevran FC and eventually L'esperance Aulneysienne on the recommendation of his father.
The club were founded by a local because he wanted to give children the opportunity to spend their time and focus on playing football and help get them off the streets.
Traore beams with pride as the children flock to Massengo, the player more than happy to oblige in signing shirts, boots and posing for photographs. The excitement is evident with the player arranging a trip to the High Performance Centre before witnessing the 5-0 thrashing of Hull on Saturday.
Massengo has time for everyone as he takes the opportunity to grab the photographer's camera and highlight his passion for photography as he takes a number of snaps while his coach speaks to me on the sidelines.
"I'm especially proud of him as a man because of his values," Traore adds. "The values he tries to transmit to the young generation and from a football point of view.
"I'm proud because he participated with the club and I've helped his development so everyone from where he is from is proud of him. It's a privilege, not everybody can come here and travel to experience another country and another culture here.
"They can learn from Han-Noah that everything is possible and they have to believe in their dream. They can learn that the most important thing is to work but Han-Noah was someone who was very hard-working and that they need to put everything in place so that they can make it."
For Traore, Massengo's potential was plain to see from an early age. Initial doubts over his physicality and height were counteracted by his work ethic and the intelligence that made him stand out among his fellow team-mates.
"His obvious quality is that he was smaller than the other players because he was always late in his development physically. So he was compensating by being smarter than the other kids in his game.
"I knew (he would make it) very early on from the start because of his attitude and his commitment. It's the commitment that really helped him get where he is.
"He was doing more than the other kids, and so we saw from the very early stage that he could attract other clubs and I guess we were right because now he is here with Bristol City."
Whether Massengo remains a player at the Robins beyond the season appears increasingly doubtful with his contract expiring in the summer of 2023. Perhaps the gesture was a parting gift and an opportunity for him to show off the club that will undoubtedly help propel his career to the next level.
Lyon were the latest club linked with Massengo while Freiburg and Watford are two other clubs to have shown an interest. He was also tenuously linked with Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund a year after he joined BS3 in 2019.
For Traore, reaching the very top of European football will be part of Massengo's pathway and eventually represent France's senior side. Who would argue against him following his prediction that the player would make it as a professional as a youth player?
He added: "Han-Noah can reach the very top of the game, both European and he can hopefully soon enough reach the national team because he has the qualities and the level required for that."
Away from all the contracts, the limelight and perks that come part and parcel as a professional football, Massengo's outlook has remained the same from when he was aged 13, enjoying the freedom of the pitch.
"Just enjoy playing and never lose that enjoyment because it's that that will make you want to wake up every single morning. Enjoy the football."
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