Marcus Thuram reveals why he decided to join Inter two years ago, the advice he gets from father Lilian Thuram and the one area he really hopes he won’t follow in his dad’s footsteps.
The France international had already been on the verge of making a move to San Siro some time ago, but a serious injury slowed that progress and he eventually joined as a free agent after his contract with Borussia Monchengladbach ran down.
“I had already spoken to director Piero Ausilio two years ago, before I got hurt. He saw me as a centre-forward and that was something that made me think Inter was the right choice,” Thuram told Sky Sport Italia.
He had been regularly used on the wing in Germany, but has formed a splendid partnership with Inter teammate Lautaro Martinez.
“Lautaro is the best striker in the world. Anyone who plays alongside him will have no problems scoring goals. This is a new team for me, a new city, a new league, and I am trying to learn every single second.
“What strikes me the most about this team is that everyone gets along and enjoys spending time with each other. That’s lovely to see.”
The 26-year-old has found the net six times along with 10 assists in 19 competitive games for Inter, between Serie A and the Champions League.
Inevitably, there are greater expectations around someone with the surname Thuram, especially in Serie A where his father played for Parma and Juventus.
“We have a normal father-son relationship. He talks to me about how to be in my life, in my football, where I need to improve. He really helped me to become the person I am today. The best advice he gave me when I was a kid was to do what I love and enjoy every moment. He taught me respect and the importance of remembering we are all the same, we all need to live together.”
However, there is one area where Marcus hopes not to follow in the footsteps of his famous father.
“My father doesn’t have hair anymore, so I worry about that!”