Former player Lilian Thuram has expressed her frustration at the fact that her son, Marcus Thuram, was dropped from the French national team following a scandal involving controversial statements targeting Ousmane Debelé and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The incident has become a hot topic in French football, fueling much debate about the professionalism and responsibility of young players in the best football environment.
The incident stemmed from a video circulating on social media in which Marcus Thuram allegedly insulted Dembélé, his former Borussia Mönchengladbach teammate, and criticized PSG, the club Dembélé played for. While the specific content of the speech was unclear, the video quickly gained attention, prompting a response from the French Football Federation (FFF). As a result, Marcus, one of France’s brightest young talents, was removed from the squad list for upcoming international matches, a decision seen as a deterrent and to preserve the team’s image.
Lilian Thuram, the 1998 World Cup champion, could not hide his disappointment at the way the incident was handled. He believed his son was being treated unfairly and should be heard rather than immediately punished. In an interview, Lilian emphasized that Marcus was an enthusiastic young player, but also unavoidably so. He called for tolerance from the public and the FFF, and asserted that Marcus was aware of his actions and was ready to apologize if necessary. Lilian also questioned why the incident was blown out of proportion on social media before any official dialogue between the parties involved.
The reaction from the football community has been mixed. Some suggest that the decision to remove Marcus from the team is necessary to maintain discipline and avoid setting bad precedents. Meanwhile, Marcus’s supporters believe he only accidentally made mistakes and should be given a chance to make amends. The incident has also sparked a debate about the pressure young players face in the age of social media, where every action can be scrutinized and judged immediately.
Marcus Thuram, currently playing for Inter Milan, has remained silent since the incident broke. However, many sources believe he is trying to focus on his on-field style to prove his worth. With the French team preparing for major tournaments, this incident not only affects Marcus personally, but also raises questions about how the FFF handles media crises related to players.
