And the press conference suddenly changed. This Saturday, two days before the French team’s entry into Euro 2024 against Austria, Marcus Thuram shook up the press room and the questions asked of him. His replacement at the forefront, his handover with Olivier Giroud, his defensive role, everything was relegated to the background from his first response.
Like most of his teammates, the Inter striker was entitled to the question about the political situation in France and the rise of the far-right. But he answered like no other: “The situation is sad, it is very serioushe said sadly. I learned that after the match against Canada, we were all shocked in the locker room. This is the sad reality of our society today. There are messages that are conveyed every day on TV to help this party pass. As Ousmane said, we have to go and vote. And as a citizen, we must fight so that the RN does not pass and that this does not happen again.”
We need to explain how we got here
For the first time since the start of the week, and the victory of the National Rally in the European elections, a player from the French team has taken a clear position before the legislative elections on June 30 and July 7. A statement that he considers natural: “I understand that some players come in front of you and simply say that we have to go and vote but I think that is not enoughhe continued. We need to explain how we got here, and the seriousness of the situation..”
And Marcus Thuram is indeed his father’s son. Lilian Thuram affirmed his opposition to the National Front several times, and he transmitted his political conscience to his son: “First of all, my father doesn’t encourage me to do anything except be a well-behaved boy. Growing up with him and having conversations with him, I feel responsible for saying this kind of thing..” Especially since Marcus Thuram lives in Italy, a country where the far right has come to power.
Mike Maignan leaving the pitch during Milan-Udinese after being subjected to racist insults and monkey cries
Credit: Getty Images
“I think it’s a problem in Italy too. We saw him with Mike (Maignan) in the stadiums. It’s not a problem for me personally because I’m a footballer and I’m recognized, but I know it’s a problem for thousands of black people in Italy so it becomes a problem for me.” The goalkeeper of the France team had in fact been the victim of racist insults and monkey cries from Udinese supporters, and had left the field in the middle of the match.
Everyone shares my vision of things
And this type of event is not isolated in Italy. And despite the silence of his teammates, Marcus Thuram is sure that the locker room thought as one when faced with the election results: “In the French team I have no doubt that everyone shares their vision on things. Then we are in a free country, some must do what he thinks is right. I am in front of you, and I tell you things but some people can think it and not say it.”
The Inter Milan striker thus affirmed his desire to take advantage of the platform offered to him, at a press conference and on social networks, to denounce the rise of the far-right: “As an example, and I know that there are lots of people who follow me on social networks, I am obliged to pass on certain messages.”The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
