Former Juventus defender Lilian Thuram was among the distinguished guests at this year’s Golden Boy Awards, organised by *uttosport, where he received the prestigious Career Award. Now a proud father of two professional footballers — Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram and Inter striker Marcus Thuram — the French legend reflected on his playing days, the fight against racism, and the path his sons have taken.
Reflecting on His Career
“The best part of my life was my career,” Thuram said. “As a child, you dream of playing football; then, when you’re good enough, people pay you to do it, and it allows you to take care of your family. Playing in Italy and seeing my name on the back of a shirt was a strange but wonderful feeling. It made me truly happy.”
Speaking Out Against Racism
Thuram used the occasion to speak on one of his long-standing causes — social justice. “I was fortunate, even as a footballer, to feel it was my duty to ask fans to reflect on justice in society,” he explained. “Muhammad Ali was my inspiration; he achieved great things because he stood for something as well as being a champion.”
He went on to highlight the broader issue of discrimination: “To defeat racism, we all have a role to play. We live in a world built on racism and sexism, full of prejudice. Often, there’s a hypocrisy in pretending not to see it. Some people believe that fighting racism is only the job of those who suffer from it — but that’s not true. We must all take responsibility.”
Pride in His Sons
When asked about his sons’ success, Thuram spoke with both pride and humility. “I never imagined they would reach such heights,” he admitted. “When they started playing, many people said I was wrong to let them try because it’s such a difficult profession. But I always told them they weren’t me — they had to play for the joy of it, and then we’d see how far they could go. I’m happy because they’re happy.”
He also shared a humorous anecdote about Marcus: “As a father, I’ve learned that every child has their own character. One of my sons has smiled since he was little — always laughing. I used to tell him, ‘Marcus, you need to be serious, stop laughing!’ But now I understand that you can be serious and capable even with a smile.”
