Lilian Thuram: life and biography of the best football player of France in 1997

Lilian Thuram was born in 1972, on January 1, in Guadalupe. This is a famous French footballer, who completed his career in 2008, five years ago. He has a fairly rich and interesting career, and also full of achievements. And it's worth talking about.

Interesting Facts

Lilian Thuram, the defender, had completely different plans for his life from the very beginning. 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 it's pretty late. In 1991, in "Monaco" began his real, professional career. And then, after five years of his career in the French club, that is, in 1996, he moved to Italy. For all time spent in "Monaco", Thuram played 173 matches and scored nine goals.

In "Parma" he also spent five years. During this time he went on the field 201 times, but scored only one goal. Then - again five-year career, only in Turin "Juventus". For the "old signor" he played 144 matches, also having scored only one goal. The last years of his playing career Lilian Thuram spent in the Catalan "Barcelona", where he played from forty-one games from 2006 to 2008.

During his entire club career, which began in 1991 and ended in 2008, the defender played 559 matches and issued 11 goals.

Health problems

It would seem that Lillian Thuram decided to end his playing career because of age. Still, at that time he was already 36 years old. Many in these years decide, as they say, to hang the boots on the nail. However, the real reason did not lie in this. In fact, everything was different.

After completing his career at Juventus, he planned to sign a contract with the Parisian "PSG". However, a preliminary medical examination in France before the transition to Paris Saint-Germain revealed serious heart problems. Because of them, Lilian Thuram had to end his career at 36 years.

Career in the national team

For the French national team football player played more than 140 matches. In addition, he is the owner of the record for the number of matches played for this team. In the team, he scored, of course, only two goals. However, both - in the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup . It was a game against the Croatian national team. It was thanks to two goals of Thuram that 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, Lillian Thuram, whose biography abounds in interesting details and facts, participated in the national team in the 2002 and 2006 world championships. (The 1998 tournament is not taken into account) and in European championships. Their total was four - 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 the family Lilian Thuram. He has two sons with his wife, Marcus (he is now 18 years old) and Hefren (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 loaned to FC Tour. Another interesting fact is that Thuram accepted Islam, although initially, as one might remember, he planned to become a Catholic priest.

The player has a lot of achievements. Firstly, he is the best footballer of France in 1997. Secondly, the owner of the Cup of the country (in 1990-1991 gg.). 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. Even with the national team won the European Championships in 2010 and the Confederations Cup in 2003. In general, Lilian has quite a rich football career. And it's hard not to admit that it deserves respect.