In the Thuram family, everyone knows Lilian, the 98 world champion passed through the biggest clubs in Europe. In recent months, it's Marcus, eldest son of the former international defender, who has taken up the torch in the Bundesliga in the jersey of Mönchengladbach and where he showed who he cared for by being the first player in Europe to kneel down after a goal in tribute to George Floyd. But among the Thuram, there is also Khephren, the “youngest” last (he measures 1.92 m…). Aged 19, he plays in the midfield in a completely different register than his big brother, more toned and hard-hitting with the ball.
Passed from Monaco to Nice last summer, he was the holder on the first day last weekend, against Lens (2-1), in the position of torchbearer that he masters less than that of sentry, where he shone during preparation (two goals). "He has a very bright future just in front of the defense," says one in the Nice staff. Chaperoned by Patrick Vieira, who has a strong relationship with Lilian and played in the same position as him, Khephren Thuram is in good school at OGC Nice, which is traveling this Saturday evening (9 p.m.) to Strasbourg on behalf of the 2nd Ligue 1 day. “I have already watched videos of the coach, he told us in April. Frankly, it was really not bad ( smiles ). He can teach us a lot of things. "
Precious advice from Lilian Thuram
Listening and very respectful, the former Boulogne-Billancourt and INF Clairefontaine player, who never misses the performances of Paul Pogba (Manchester United) or Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), also benefits from the invaluable advice of his father. The latter is never far away and watches over his two protégés, to whom he has instilled values that are dear to him. “We have a father-son relationship like any other,” says Khephren Thuram. He'll tell me when things aren't going but we laugh too. What matters to him more than anything is the notion of respect, how we behave in life. He never pushed us to play football. He was studying hard and you shouldn't miss out on school. Honestly, my name doesn't change a thing. "
Born in 2001 in Parma, where his father made the heyday of the city club in the company of Buffon, Cannavaro or Crespo, Khephren Thuram did not plan to wear the jersey of the Squadra Azzura, but that of the France team, with whom he made all the youth selections. His good performances come from allowing him to be called up for the first time with the U20s. Without an ankle injury, Marcus could have been part of Didier Deschamps' list.
In a permanent bond, the two brothers dream of following in their father's footsteps and wearing the A's jersey together. “We're very close, I love it,” says Khephren. We have the same delusions, we laugh. It is also thanks to our parents. »A real family affair.
