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Thuram’s Move to PSG Scuttled by Heart Condition

June 27th, 2008 | By: Laurie | 14 Comments »

Sad news for a class player.

Lilian Thuram was all set for a move from Barcelona to PSG, until he took the physical. The news was not good.

“I’m holding this press conference not to announce my signing for PSG but to tell you that doctors have detected a heart defect,” said Thuram.

Thuram’s brother died of a similar condition and the World Cup winner will undergo further tests and await results before deciding whether to retire from football.

“It seems that it’s the same illness that my brother had a few years ago and from which he died on a basketball court,” said Thuram.

“It’s a total surprise, I didn’t see it coming.

“In a month or so I should know whether I can pursue my career or if I have to stop.”

Sad. I’d read the PSG rumors recently and was looking forward to seeing Thuram play out his last years in France. And PSG is in such a volatile situation, what with their fans, and their near relegation last season. And Thuram is such a calming presence. I was looking forward to seeing what he could do there. And now we won’t get the chance to find out.

But I’m really hoping he retires now. As hard as it will be for everyone to see him move on to the next phase of his life, he has a lot more to offer the world off the field than dead.

I’m looking forward to seeing where he takes his life from here.

(The above photo is of Thuram teaching football in Liberia.)

Tags: Euro 2008

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Comments

By Marco Pantanella | June 27th, 2008 at 3:23 pm

Darn… this sucks big time. :((((((

By Michel-Olivier | June 27th, 2008 at 3:23 pm

he should retire and go back to Guadalupe to enjoy the sun and the waves.

Posted from United States

By Jean-Michel | June 27th, 2008 at 3:34 pm

Some Zouk (French West Indian music), Acras (fried codfish), and a few ‘ti punch’ (local rum and lime) and he’ll be ok. Time to take it easy Thuram, you have nothing else to prove.

Posted from United States

By set | June 27th, 2008 at 3:45 pm

That’s easy to say, football is his life, and he seemed pretty sad about the news. Not because of the seriousness of his disease but because he still wants to play the game.

Plus I like his decision to play for PSG. Of course he’s not the Thuram of 98, but it’s good to have a player like him show interest and care about Ligue 1.

Posted from France

By tito | June 27th, 2008 at 4:23 pm

terrible news, but at least he found it out through a routine checkup…

Posted from United States

By Doumé | June 27th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

Much love to Lilian, one of the greatest French players, who has witnessed and contributed to an amazing stretch of years with unheard of successes for us. One by one, they all retire, and now seems to be his turn. I still think he would have helped against Italy instead of Abidal.
His two goals against Croatia in 98 are an absolute lightning that tipped the balance for us in a game where we were going against a compact 9-men defense.
But he’s proven to be more than just a great defender, and given himself an enormous humanitarian mission for which he has worked a lot. He will do great things for that. And he speaks against racism.
Check out the feature about him on Dailymotion, if you haven’t seen it already.

By Thierry | June 27th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

I’ll never ever forget those two goals he scored against Croatia in the 1998 semi-final, it was just magic. Thank you Lilian!!!!!!!!

Posted from United States

By Ben | June 27th, 2008 at 5:12 pm

From an azzurri fan, I wish Lillian and his family the best, he is a class player, one of a kind.

Posted from Canada

By Aditya | June 27th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

Take rest Lillian you deserve it.

Posted from United States

By outa control | June 27th, 2008 at 10:55 pm

the guy is a rock, he will come through fine.

Posted from United States

By Benjamin | June 27th, 2008 at 11:01 pm

Tutu is up there with the greatest defenders of all times.
he gives everything on the pitch, i hope he is ok.

ps i didnt know he had a brother who played bball

By Louise | June 27th, 2008 at 11:25 pm

This is just so shocking. I can’t believe that none of his other clubs detected this heart defect before. But at least they caught it.

I know this isn’t the last we’ve heard from Thuram. He will continue to be a leading voice against racism and for the poor and disenfranchised. But as a football fan, it is a sad thing to know we’ll never see him on the pitch again.

Posted from United States

By pao | June 28th, 2008 at 11:10 am

great player, great man, I wish him the best.

By Foreverzidane | June 28th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Respect, and plenty of love for Thuram and his family.

Comments are closed