Happy Birthday to Lilian Thuram!

Trivia question: What career did Barcelona player and longtime veteran Bleus defender Lilian Thuram consider pursuing before football called his name?

If you guessed Roman Catholic priest, (and of course you did, right?) give yourself a gold star.

Happy Birthday to Lilian, who turns 35 today (Jan. 1). Thuram is the most-capped player in France history, having received his 126th in the France-Greece game in November.

Another cool fact about Lilian: He’s spoken out frequently to try to improve the conditions of poor immigrants in France, and he created huge controversy during the France-Italy Euro ‘08 qualifier last September when he invited 70 homeless immigrants to the game. (The right-wing politicians were NOT happy.) Go Lilian!

Thuram is currently out with a hamstring injury, or possibly calf injury, depending on which source you read. So let’s say “left leg injury” and leave it at that. He’s not expected to be playing again till February. Get well soon, Lilian, and Happy Birthday! Here’s to several more years of happy and healthy football.