Markus Thuram, the legendary defender father "taught" him to score!

My mom's a longtime fake fan. She follows the World Series.

She told me about Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" stunt at the 1986 World Cup and the Dutch trio's shock at Euro 1988.

My mother and I first met in football at the 1998 World Cup. What my mother remembers most from the passionate French summer is not Cristiano Ronaldo or Suke, but the legendary defender Lilian Thuram, who scored twice in the semi-final to lead France to a single-handed comeback.

So much so that, more than 20 years later, I told her the story of Marcus Thuram, the "star kid" who scored goals as fast as a horse. She also said of Thuram: "That black French defender scored two goals in one game!"

She couldn't care less. Thuram is a super defender who has only scored those two goals in his life for the national team. In Thuram's words and actions, Marcus seems to be a natural goal taker.

The French World Cup Ronaldo and Germany World Cup Ronaldo lost in front of Thuram. Only a striker who has played against him can feel the pressure.

In 1996, the 20-year-old "alien" Cristiano Ronaldo shocked European football. At the time, Cruyff said: "In this world, it is difficult to find a defender who can stop Cristiano Ronaldo. If I had to pick one, I'd say Thuram."

Thuram disagrees with the praise of his predecessors, but the French defenders in their prime did leave talented strikers' heads "like iron gates". From Parma, Juventus, Barca and France, countless strikers have lost their halberds to Thuram. This young boy from Guadeloupe, an overseas province, eventually became a meritorious guardian of Gaul.

Thuram is a defensive player with a perfect combination of physical and mental skills.

Defensively, he uses speed to keep up with defensive linemen, and tackles with physical play and harassment. On top of that, he has top-notch protection and clearance, always getting to the danger zone early and eliminating risk for the back line. And the French defender also has a big heart, and the ability to maintain a stable mentality in high-pressure games that has led to years of high performance. Its psychological quality can be seen.

Whereas most assistant guards at the time would rely on speed and skill to create width, Thuram liked to use his steady possession and physical strength to assist his attacking players, and was adept at "rebounding the front court", forcing defenders to get to the ball as quickly as possible after a failed attack, thereby winning second chances and constantly pressuring opponents. Thuram did this on both side roads and in the middle.

Although Thuram has scored few goals for the national team, there is no denying his "attacking and defending ability" attribute. French defenders do not assist in the same way as most full-backs. The two goals against Croatia in the 1998 World Cup semi-final exemplified this attacking mindset. This is an anachronistic kick that forces the other team to play the ball in the back.

His eldest son, Marcus Thuram, clearly inherited his father's physical qualities and strong spiritual attributes. Otherwise he wouldn't have been able to take the ball at high speed after such a high frequency of confrontation, riding alone and shooting leisurely.

Marcus scored especially because the guard's father "taught" him well.

Thuram had two unhappy marriages, but that didn't stop him from being a good father. Unlike many footballers, he reads and thinks and prefers to keep his off-field energy at home. He has to take care of his children and do housework, and rarely goes out to socialize except for public welfare work.

Another good way to raise children is to stick with guidance and intervention.

Marcus was introduced to formal football training very late in life. While living in Italy, he played only around his home, although he had developed an interest in football and idolised his father's rival, "alien" Cristiano Ronaldo. Instead of rushing his eldest son down the football path, Thuram gave Marcus more options for his interests.

Marcus has participated in fencing, swimming, and even judo, where he reached the yellow level.

But the son of a World Cup winner is destined for football. In an interview, he once said: "I always followed my father to training, to the pitch. After the game, he would come to us in the stands. One day, I said to myself, 'I want to do that, go to the stands and find my family. '"

After making his final choice, 10-year-old Marcus was sent to the Barcelona echelon by his father. In his first youth game, the coach saw that Marcus was taller and stronger than the other kids, so he was asked to play fullback. Thuram, who knew more about his son's temper and physical condition, insisted that Marcus play up front. The goal-obsessed French striker has his father's decision to thank.

Marcus once said, "People pay to watch games to have fun. However, defenders kill the existence of such happiness. Without defenders, a game could end 8-8!" People who say things like that are shooters at heart. He knows his son better than his father. His father may not have been careful, but he was absolutely clear about the big picture.

After completing his assignment at Barcelona's Novice Village, Marcus followed his father back to France to continue his football dreams at Sochaux's youth team. Here, he not only received a call-up to the national team at all levels, but also signed his first professional contract.

But behind the smooth sailing, Marcus also experienced growing up confused.

"When I was in the youth team, I was tall but didn't like to defend or run. I only take the initiative when I have the ball at my feet." The young Marcus imitated Ronaldo with a penchant for evil influence in the style of play. He seems to be happy only with dribbling. The passing button in his head seems to have been knocked off long ago, and his linemates are always complaining. He doesn't like passing, he doesn't like running without the ball, he doesn't like heading, and he doesn't like defending.

Thuram knew perfectly well that this would not work. Unable, even with his talent, to be a teenager who could only dribble, Ronaldo set out to "teach" his son what a true striker should do, scoring 3,354 goals.

But he knew his son's character, starting with Marcus's love of goals and telling him that heading bombs, shooting out of position and assisting off the dribble were all important ways to win games. He taught his son not to waste his talent and let him find his happiness in these offensive ways.

Clearly, Thuram's teachings were useful. Now Marcus, who recalls his shallow obsession with dribbling, has developed a comprehensive and varied offensive style, thanks to his father's inspiration.

Thuram knew that Marcus had to move to a bigger stage in order to thrive. It was only after he became a famous guest at Angang that Breakthrough Madness had no future. Ligue 1 is weak overall. Much of it is just the front end of the star line.

With his father's fame and connections, and his son's talent and play, Marcus was on the radar of teams in the summer of 2019. After careful comparisons, in-depth discussions and even visits to various clubs, Thuram has decided that his style of play and future growth is a good fit for Markus' Moenchengladbach. Before r going to Germany, Thuram went to see for himself where his son was going to live before letting him play in the Bundesliga.

Much like a Chinese father traveling thousands of miles to send his son to college.

Indeed, Moenchengladbach was the "university" of Marcus's career. His teammates here are stronger, more confrontational, more technically demanding. He went through a critical growth phase here, going from a rookie to a major player on the team.

"I learned a lot here (Moensing) and the most important thing is how to concentrate during the game. In the Bundesliga, for example, you score a goal in 17 seconds and then you equalise in a minute. Four minutes later, it was 2-1. Whether the attackers or the defenders were playing here, everyone was running for 90 minutes." From the interview, it is clear that the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 play at a different pace.

Under the direction of his tactically minded coach, Marcus showed all his energy. Using a combination of speed, body and skill in positional warfare, he could split open opposing defenses with a quick dribble, or he could deliver a knockout blow with an alert run. On the counter-attack, he is the engine of the team's rapid progress. See the time to quickly insert, can maximize the sharp play of the team.

In 2019-20, Markus, the Bundesliga's "freshman", produced 14 goals and eight assists for the team. Although Markus is known for pulling the Prussian chariot of Moensing, it is hard to avoid being tripped up by emotions.

At the end of December, Moenchen played Hoffenheim. Marcus clashed with Bosh on offense and was the first to gaffe, spitting directly at Bosh's other face. When the referee accepts the VAR review, he shows young Thuram a red card and sends him off. Moenxing, who fought with 10 men, was killed by Huo Chun at the last minute. Subsequently, Marcus was given a "six-match suspension fine of 40,000 yuan, deduct the full monthly salary" heavy punishment.

Coach Rose's comment was practical and fair, even changing course and affirming Thuram's teaching of his son: "It shouldn't happen on the pitch. Marcus Thuram is a good man. He was introspective, cultured and educated. At that moment, his brain must have switched off. That's the only explanation."

When Thuram learned of his son's troubles, he didn't take sides. He believes his son must bear all the consequences of the incident: "He must be punished thoroughly. I think that's normal. As a matter of fact, this kind of behavior has absolutely no place on the field." Thuram would have told his son, in his own way, to learn to control his emotions, which is part of being a superstar.

After the ban, Marcus was able to get back on track and even make the French team, thanks to the tolerance of the coach and the team, but more importantly, thanks to his father.

In the summer window of 2021, Marcus was closing in on Inter Milan and Thuram's son seemed destined to return to the place where his father made his name. Even French celebrities have begun to worry that Italy's poor racial climate will affect their sons' performance.

However, the move fell through due to an injury to Marcus and the French striker failed to board the flight to South Milan, missing out on the chance to replace Romelu Lukaku.

Last season even because of the change of manager, Markus form slump, the goal account can not open. According to foreign media reports, he was not satisfied with his current situation in the team, lazy in training, did not go all out.

That kind of negative attitude is a no-no for the pros. Perhaps Thuram can beat his son again and help him get on track, but ultimately he needs to reconcile his emotions and learn the right way to rise from adversity.

Although the marriage is not smooth, but he is very good at teaching his son. Marcus has been recognised by the football community and needs to push further. Second son Kevlan has established himself at Nice, playing in midfield in the style of Patrick Vieira.

Thuram was also a prominent campaigner against racism, often running around with his foundation to fight for justice.

His father's strengths are an important internal reason for his football success, and Marcus should learn from them.