I took them to judo, fencing…
It would seem there could only be one career route for any son of a world-class, professional footballer.
Yet, those particular children almost never go on to follow their father’s pathway.
The fact that Marcus and Khéphren Thuram have so far both progressed to top-level senior football makes for a remarkable exception to the rule.
AGAINST THE PLAN
Not that their father – 1998 World Cup winner Lillian – planned it. Nor was particularly… keen on his sons becoming footballers.
“At that time [when Marcus and Khéphren were born, in 1997 and 2001 respectively], I was playing in Italy and I did not want [to see] my children growing up in the idea of a super involved father“, Thuram senior said several years ago.
“I wanted them to stay calm at home. I took them to judo, fencing…
“They ended up playing football [regardless]!”
A GIFT FROM MESSI
Inevitably, the childhood of both young Khéphren and particularly the elder Marcus was at least a little bit different to the one lived by an average kid.
Even though the boys were not aware of it at the time.
“I would see [Lionel] Messi and [other] players who my father played with [at Barcelona]”, Marcus Thuram recalled. – “For me, they were people I would see every day, I did not realise [their status].
“Once, Messi gave me a pair of football boots.
“And my friend, who I played football with and who regarded Messi as it should be, was obsessed with my boots.
“He kept insisting and I ended up giving him the boots that Messi had offered to me… When you are a child, you do not realise!”
PARENTS’ DIVORCE
Lilian Thuram announced his somewhat premature retirement from football at the age of 36 after he was diagnosed with a heart condition upon his move to Paris Saint-Germain back in 2008.
However, by that time, his sons had already lived in the French capital for a year.
Their parents had got divorced.
Back to football, young Khéphren had already trained at FC Barcelona before both him and his elder brother joined Olympique de Neuilly in where else but the suburbs of Paris. Marcus was already 10 years old then. Khéphren was only six.
Their respective careers would then follow a similar pathway.
Both would go on to sign for AC Boulogne-Billancourt – one of the best-regarded formative football clubs in the banlieue – and then leave Greater Paris at the age of 15.
Marcus moved to Sochaux in 2012. Khéphren set off south to follow his father, who went in the same direction back in 1990, by joining Monaco four years later.
FATHER’S ROLE
“He passed on to me what any good father would to his children: respect for others, the ability to listen, work and a happy rather than miserable way of life“, Marcus revealed with a smile.
“He tries to watch my games, but above all he is my father and plays his role.
“We speak about everything, such as football and basketball. He was a great player and he can give [me] advice.”
Lilian Thuram has probably never been overpresent in careers of his sons. And not only because he was not always there with them. It seems to have been a choice.
PRESSURE
Both young Thurams have also represented their country at youth level.
Marcus has done it since the under-17s, winning the under-19 European Championships and progressing all the way through to the France espoirs (under-21s).
Khéphren has so far made the grade from the under-16s, via under-17s, up to under-18s.
Marcus’ lightning start to life in the Bundesliga has inevitably fuelled speculation about his possible debut call-up to the senior squad.
With 142 caps to his name, it is indeed Lilian Thuram who remains the all-time record appearance-maker for Les Bleus.
No pressure then!
NEW POGBA
Having enjoyed an impressive season for relegated Guingamp last term, Marcus moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach where he has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting attacking players in the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, Khéphren made a short journey to Nice to work under another 1998 World Cup winner in head coach Patrick Vieira. The 19-year-old has already started six Ligue 1 matches in 2020.
And he is not a defender either. Big and athletic, the youngest of the Thurams is looking to make his name in centre midfield.
“I took the [number] 19 [at Nice] because Pogba, when he won his first senior cap for France, also wore this number”, Khéphren Thuram openly admitted.
“As he is one of my favourite players, I wanted to take the [number] 19 like he did.
“Also, my brother took number 10 at Borussia and 1 plus 9 is equal to 10…”
FULL PACKAGE
In fact, considering Lilian’s cousin Yohann has also become a professional footballer, it can be pointed out that the Thurams have come in full package.
A goalkeeper (Yohann).
A defender (Lilian).
A midfielder (Khéphren).
A forward (Marcus).
Sorry dad.
In the picture: Khéphren, Lilian and Marcus Thurams (found here)
BREAKTHROUGH 