Happy Birthday, Claude Makelele

Almost missed this one, but it is still Feb. 18 here on the west coast. So happy birthday to Chelsea and Bleus defensive midfielder Claude Makelele, who turns 34 today!

Claude made headlines after the World Cup when Bleus coach Raymond Domenech forced him back into international play by invoking obscure rules that threatened Claude’s ability to play for Chelsea if he refused an international call-up. This leaves me with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I don’t think anybody should be forced to play for his country. But on the other hand, I’m glad he’s still around.

Happy birthday, Claude! (Shown here with his lovely wife, the model Noemie Lenoir.) If you’d like more photos of Noemie, guys, click here. Oh, and you might like this Sports Illustrated one. Which is, of course, all about selling swimsuits.