Lilian Thuram was born in Guadalupe on January 1, 1972. This is a famous French footballer who ended his career in 2008, five years ago. He has a rather rich and interesting career, and is also full of achievements. And it's worth talking about.
Interesting Facts
Lilian Thuram, the defender, had completely different plans for his life initially. At first he wanted to become a Catholic priest. However, at one point he discovered a hidden football talent. So Lilian Thuram began to engage in this sport. And quite late. In 1991, “Monaco” began his real, professional career. And then, after five years of his career in a French club, that is, in 1996, he moved to Italy. For all the time spent in “Monaco”, Turam played 173 matches and scored nine goals.
He also spent five years at Parma. During this time, he entered the field 201 times, but scored only one goal. Then - again a five-year career, only in Turin “Juventus". For the “old senior” he played 144 matches, also scoring only one goal. The last years of his playing career, Lilian Thuram spent in the Catalan “Barcelona”, where he played forty-one matches from 2006 to 2008.
For his entire club career, which began in 1991 and ended in 2008, the defender played 559 matches and scored 11 goals.
Health problems
It would seem that Lilian Thuram decided to end his playing career because of his age. Still, at that time he was already 36 years old. Many in these years decide, as they say, to hang boots on a nail. However, this was not the true reason. In fact, everything was different.
After completing his career at Juventus, he planned to sign a contract with Parisian PSG. However, a preliminary medical examination conducted in France before moving to Paris Saint-Germain revealed serious heart problems. Because of them, Lilian Thuram had to retire at the age of 36.
Career in the national team
For the French national team, the football player played more than 140 matches. In addition, he holds a record for the number of matches played for this team. In the national team, he scored, of course, only two goals. However, both - in the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup . It was a game against the Croatian national team. Thanks to the two goals of Thuram, the team reached the final. And the score was initially very slippery - the minimum draw (1: 1). Thanks to the reaction and dexterity of the Frenchman, the team won 2-1 and reached the final.
Plus, Lilian Thuram, whose biography abounds with interesting details and facts, participated in the national team in the 2002 and 2006 world championships. (1998 tournament is not taken into account) and in European championships. There were four in total - 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008, respectively. After 2006, he decided to finish playing for the national team.
Personal life and interesting facts
In addition to a rich career, he also has a Lilian Thuram family. With his wife, he has two sons, whose name is Marcus (he is now 18 years old) and Chefren (born in 2002). The cousin of the great French player, whose name is Joanne Thuram-Julien, is the goalkeeper of “Monaco”. True, in 2010 he was leased by FC Tour. Another interesting fact is that Turam converted to Islam, although initially, as you might remember, he planned to become a Catholic priest.
The player has a lot of achievements. Firstly, he is the best football player in France in 1997. Secondly, the owner of the Cup of the country (in 1990-1991). In addition, he won the Cup and Super Cup of Italy, as well as one of the most prestigious awards - the UEFA Cup. Twice he became the champion of Italy (with “Juventus”), and with the national team - the winner of the 1998 World Cup. With the national team, he won the European Championship in 2010 and the Confederations Cup in 2003. In general, Liliana has a rather rich football career. And it’s hard not to admit that it deserves respect.