Lilian Thuram believes Juventus are among the Champions League favourites, especially after signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Frenchman spent five seasons with the Bianconeri and won four Scudetti, though two were revoked in the Calciopoli scandal.
“Juve are always among the favourites to win this competition, because of their players and history,” Thuram told Marca.
“And this year a little more so because of signing Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Lilian Thuram believes Juventus are among the Champions League favourites, especially after signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Frenchman spent five seasons with the Bianconeri and won four Scudetti, though two were revoked in the Calciopoli scandal.
“Juve are always among the favourites to win this competition, because of their players and history,” Thuram told Marca.
“And this year a little more so because of signing Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Thuram also played for Barcelona, and he was asked about CR7’s great rival, Lionel Messi.
“The first time I heard about Messi, I was at Juventus. The team went to play the Gamper [friendly tournament]. I didn't go, I stayed in Turin.
“When the team returned, they were all talking about a 17-year-old boy named Messi who was impossible to stop. Years later, when I arrived in Barcelona, it was clear that he was the best.”
The former defender has been doing work with refugee children, aiming to help them through football.
“Normally, nobody wants to leave the place where they live, their country, their environment, their family circle…” Thuram pointed out.
“When you leave it is because there is poverty and war. And that is because there are rich and poor countries. This is where the reflection begins.
“Rich countries are so rich that they don't even know it. We could fill three planets with their wealth. We believe that if there are others who do not live well, it is their fault, not ours.
“The social system that produces poverty is the same that endangers the world, such as, for example, global warming. We have to realise that we are all in the same boat.”