Max Balard

Maximilien Balard (born 20 November 2000) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Dutch club NAC Breda.

Early life
Balard was born in Sydney, Australia to French parents, both of whom hailed from Annecy in Southern France and met in high school. His father was a French youth international rugby player and first came to Australia during his rehabilitation from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Balard stayed in Australia until the age of three when he moved to Malaysia, and then Sri Lanka by the age of six amidst the Sri Lankan Civil War. He stayed in other countries during his childhood, namely Vietnam and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates before eventually returning to Australia.

Central Coast Mariners
Having come through the Central Coast Mariners Academy, Balard made his professional football debut in the 2020–21 season against Macarthur FC. Balard properly broke through to be a regular member of the first team in the 2021–22 season, and at the end of that season signed an extension to stay with the club until the end of the 2023–24 season.

To start the 2022–23 season, Balard captained the Mariners for the first time in a 2022 Australia Cup tie against Sydney FC, in the interim of previous captain Oliver Bozanic leaving and next captain Danny Vukovic being yet to arrive at the club. Balard was in the starting XI for the 2023 Grand Final as the Mariners won the A-League Championship with a 6–1 victory over Melbourne City at Western Sydney Stadium.

The 2023–24 season turned out to be another successful season, both individually and as a team for Balard. Balard was part of the Mariners' Championship, Premiership and AFC Cup winning 2023–24 season. Balard won the Mariners Medal as the club's best player over the season. In July 2024, the club revealed that Balard had signed a season long extension, however there was an agreement that he can leave on a free transfer to pursue an opportunity overseas. Owing to this agreement, Balard left the club with the club not receiving a transfer fee.

NAC Breda
The same day Balard left Central Coast Mariners, it was announced that he joined Dutch club NAC Breda on a three-year contract.

Personal life
Balard attended Freshwater Senior Campus, where he graduated with an ATAR of 94.2. He graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2023 with a double degree in Economics and Commerce after 4 years of study. Balard was on a scholarship during his studies which led him into the Elite Athlete Program, whom assisted in organising his exams at the University.

In addition to his native English, Balard also speaks French, and has learned Spanish.

Honours
Central Coast Mariners
 * A-League Men Championship: 2022–23, 2023–24
 * A-League Men Premiership: 2023–24
 * AFC Cup: 2023–24

Individual
 * Mariners Medal: 2024