Lilian Thuram reveals he rejected Juventus to sign for Parma, before joining the Bianconeri later in his career.
The former defender played for Monaco as well as the Old Lady, and previewed tonight’s Champions League match at Juventus Stadium for French newspaper Nice-Matin.
“What’s interesting when talking about Monaco and Turin, is that Juventus had tried to sign me when I was at Monaco,” Thuram revealed.
Lilian Thuram reveals he rejected Juventus to sign for Parma, before joining the Bianconeri later in his career.
The former defender played for Monaco as well as the Old Lady, and previewed tonight’s Champions League match at Juventus Stadium for French newspaper Nice-Matin.
“What’s interesting when talking about Monaco and Turin, is that Juventus had tried to sign me when I was at Monaco,” Thuram revealed.
“I preferred, at that time, to go to Parma. I met with the leadership of Juventus, but I thought they were wrong to want to buy me, because it’s a very big club!
“Am I pleased I went eventually? Yes, because it’s the kind of club where no-one has to tell you what you’re aiming for the in the League at the end of the season. Everyone already knows.
“It’s a dream for a top athlete to play at a big club, and what better way to work than at a club where finishing second is failure?
“And what really strikes you in Turin, is the size of the institution. Without being told, you can feel every day that the club is more important than the players.
“You’re there to do as well as you can, and you can express yourself as the coaching staff are perfect, you’re surrounded by great players and whatever happens the club is the most important.
“The club has a history, and you are part of that story. Juventus existed before you, and they’ll exist after you’ve gone.
“As for Serie A, it was the perfect place to play football. It was the best League in the world at the time. The teams which won the Champions League were all Italian.
“All the major players were moving there too. Today Serie A is going through an economic and sporting crisis.
“The big Italian clubs have disappeared from the international scene.
“Racism? The Italian League shouldn’t just be restricted to that image. I met people who offered me love, friendship.
“Yes, in some stadiums I heard monkey chants from a minority, but I didn’t let it affect me because I know how racism works. People aren’t born as a racist, you become one.
“People need to stop being hypocritical and believing that racism only exists in the stadiums. It’s more present in our societies, and more violent. And it affects people who don’t have the same social standing that I do.”
After time spent at both clubs, does Thuram have a preference for tonight’s match?
“When I watch games, I support the team which plays the best football, the one who deserves to win.
“What has always mattered to me about football is the sheer love of the game. I often look at how Monaco are doing, and they’re well placed this season.
“With Juventus it’s a little easier to know without looking, they’re always first!
“It’s an encounter between two teams where I spent time, and I’m curious to see how the match unfolds.
“When you’re playing 11 v 11, you have a chance. Matches are often decided on very little.
“Until something shows otherwise, Monaco have very good players and a good Coach and I think they can go far.
“For example, in the Arsenal match everyone thought the English side were the favourites, on paper.
“What was striking was Monaco’s tactical discipline, and their maturity too. With young players, that’s the most difficult thing to achieve.”