Ludovic Ajorque has the distinction of having scored more away goals (7) than at Meinau (3).
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Alain Robert / SIPA
Ludovic Ajorque has become essential in Strasbourg.
The striker has already scored 10 goals this season in Ligue 1, his record.
Can he see himself going even higher?
In the French team?
The 26-year-old native of Reunion answered questions from
20 Minutes
.
He also mentioned his models.
Players like him, tall and strong enough, Olivier Giroud, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Guillaume Hoarau.
Heading for a deflection, backing to combine with his partners or in the box to finish the job… Ludovic Ajorque, 26, is everywhere this season!
Arrived in Strasbourg anonymously in the summer of 2018 after a good Ligue 2 season in Clermont (14 achievements), the striker has become essential in Racing.
This season, he is the second most used player by Thierry Laurey, just behind Kenny Lala.
Above all, the 1.96 m golgoth seems to have passed a milestone, which is felt in terms of statistics ...
You scored again in Dijon last weekend and you are now 4th best scorer in Ligue 1!
What does that inspire you?
It's flattering to be alongside great players, all international, in this ranking but also anecdotal.
What matters is what the team are currently showing on the pitch.
We raise the bar and we gain places.
You just broke your league goalscoring record ...
I'm happy because that was my personal goal at the start of the season.
I've reached it so now I'm going to try to score as much as possible to make the group win as much as possible.
Given your size, you are often compared to Olivier Giroud.
What do you think ?
It's fun because everything he's been doing for a while is quite extraordinary.
With Ibrahimovic, they are models.
I watch their matches a lot because they are players of my profile.
When I was still in Reunion, I also drew a lot of inspiration from Guillaume Hoarau.
Olivier Giroud has the distinction of having become international at the age of 25.
Les Bleus, does it seem so far away?
Yes, yes… You have to be realistic.
I play in Strasbourg, it's a good club, I know my level and I know that of those who are in the France team.
They all play in big clubs.
And you, you don't want to climb one more step one day?
Any player wants to go as high as possible, it's a normal ambition.
If I have the opportunity to go to a bigger club, I won't hesitate.
But for now, I feel good in Strasbourg.
I extended my contract for two years (until 2022) at the start of the season and I will continue in this direction.
Your former president in Clermont, Claude Michy, speaks of you as someone "humble and hardworking".
You confirm ?
It's hard to say how we are!
What is certain is that I broke through late.
And it was not easy to get there so I try to work as much as possible.
Without forgetting where I come from, my small island of Reunion.
In which sectors do you think you have progressed this season?
Pretty much everywhere.
Already, I had the chance to evolve in playful teams like Luçon and Clermont.
It serves me today in Strasbourg.
Afterwards, when I arrived in Clermont (in 2016), I was perhaps a little frail.
Now I think I am a little stronger with my back to the goal.
I try to be as clean and efficient as possible.
I even think I could have scored a little more!
Are you referring to that missed penalty against Nîmes?
(He is laughing).
I didn't want to, I took it badly, I don't know what happened!
There is no hierarchy of shooters in the team.
It's the one who feels that shoots, but we can also leave it if we took it the last game.
We get along well so we manage to shoot.
Speaking of Racing, how are you living this quite hectic season?
If things are going better in 2021 (15th), you have long flirted with the last place ...
We had a very difficult start to the season with the Covid-19, preparation etc.
There, we start to raise our heads and we must ensure the maintenance as quickly as possible.
I hope we will have a good match against Reims on Sunday (3 p.m.) because it is very important.
Do you prefer to be alone or with another attacker in front?
When I arrived, I played a lot with Lebo Mothiba, not bad also with Nuno Da Costa.
Now it's Habib Diallo.
One or two ahead, I feel good.
I have no preferences, I always have chances in the game!
Last question, there was talk for a while of seeing you in the selection of Madagascar.
Is this file closed?
The coach has already called me two or three times, but I'm not ready to take the plunge.
I don't see myself playing for this selection.
I have nothing to reproach the Malagasy people but I really feel Reunion.
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