New Inter striker Marcus Thuram revealed that former Nerazzurri striker Adriano is his idol and also explained how his father played a key role in his choice. The Frenchman opted to sign Inter on a free transfer earlier this summer, taking the number nine shirt that was worn by a number of legendary Nerazzurri strikers. Speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Thuram talked through his decision to make the move to Milan, why he is not afraid of tackling racism and where he fits in with coach Simone Inzaghi’s formation:
Is it what you expected, the Inter world? How was the impact with the new environment?
“I found what I imagined before I set foot here: a great team, an organized club, high-quality training. I love being there.”
Can you tell us about the first thing Inzaghi and captain Lautaro transferred to you?
“Not many words, but they conveyed confidence to me: ‘We need you, you will help us a lot,’ they told me.”
Too early to make comparisons, perhaps. But what is the first big difference between Germany and Italy that you have noticed?
“Football is football everywhere, especially at high levels. But here there is more attention to the tactical aspect: I already knew that, now I have touched it with my own hands.”
They say about you: you’re not an out and out striker, you don’t score as much.
“Do you know how I answer? That last season was the first season of my career in which I played as a center forward, before that I always played as an outside winger. That’s the role I prefer, for my game it’s better: I can stay close to the goal, attack the space, score goals, in short, my job.”
Does it give you more satisfaction to serve an assist or score a goal?
“And what does it change? At the end of the action, it’s always one more for my team. It matters to win, it matters to help teammates do it.”
Do you know that on your shoulders you wear a heavy number for Inter’s history, such as the 9?
“I don’t really care about that. Do you know why? When you wear the Inter jersey, it’s the colors that weigh, not the number. Even if I had chosen 99, 8 or 7, it would have been the same: you still have a great responsibility on you. I changed so many numbers in my career, 9 was free and I took it without delay.”
In an interview you said, “I would like to become stronger than Lukaku.” Well, now you have the opportunity….
“Compared to when I spoke that way I have grown, as a player and as a person. I’m just saying that Lukaku and I are different. I respect him, but I am different, we are very different.”
What memories do you have, from your childhood living in Italy?
“The food, ohhhhh. In Parma for the truth I was very small, in Turin instead I remember the school, the friends, the park: I was a very happy child, then we went to live in Barcelona.”
What is Italian about you?
“I can’t say… Okay, that’s fine: my father always tells me that when I get fouled I stay on the ground too long (and laughs heartily, ed.).”
Do you remember the first time as a child in San Siro?
“Of course. It was a Milan-Juventus game, Juve won with a goal by Trezeguet after a Del Piero assist (it was 2005, ed.).”
How does it feel for you now to know that you will be back there as a star player?
“I can’t wait, it’s a fixed thought in my head. San Siro is one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world, legendary for anyone who plays football.”
What did Papa Lilian tell you about Serie A?
“That it has changed a lot compared to when he played in Italy. But he pushed me to choose this league. He convinced me by explaining, ‘It’s a country that lives for football, you’ll do well.’ And indeed here I am.”
Did he affect the choice, your father?
“Yes. We had several options in hand, we evaluated them all. He recommended Inter.”
For what reason the Nerazzurri?
“I had already imagined myself two years ago wearing this jersey. And then I tell you: Inter and its managers were very close to me even after the injury, they consoled me. This thing I have not forgotten. And so now it was natural to choose them. To have the chance to start again what fate had taken away from me two years ago: incredible.”
Milan was very close to getting you. Do you know that the next derby will be hotter than usual for you?
“Eh, the Milan fans will be angry with me…. But patience! Everyone makes his own choices, I know why I did it. I’m not worried about the booing that will come my way. It’s a derby anyway, they would have come anyway.”
The jersey doesn’t weigh you down, yousaid. Have you ever heard of a second star?
“The Scudetto is my goal and our goal. We have that in mind, we work every day already to get there, we want to be happy at the end of the season.”
Did you also explain this to your former teammate Sommer? (laughs)
“No, he is too reserved, he is not my age…. I hope he will come, I’m waiting for him, but he never talks….”
Who is your idol?
“Adriano, the most complete most of all. He could do anything, that’s who I always looked up to.”
We thought Ronaldo the Phenom would be the answer….
“Well, but I can’t even remotely think of him. My dad didn’t sleep all week before he faced him, I remember that well.”
You are named Marcus in honor of Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey. And you the first football player to kneel for Black Lives Matter. Yet in Italy we have several problems with racism. Have you ever thought about not choosing our league for this reason?
“No, not a minute. And do you know why? Because the moment it becomes a thought in the choice, it means the racists have already won.”
Will you kneel again?
“If it will be necessary to say or do something, I will not back down. But I strongly hope there is no need.”
You are very active on social media. How do you deal with criticism?
“I have a lot of fun with socials, it’s true. Of course, it’s an open world, everyone has a chance to speak and it’s easier to do it behind a computer than face to face. I’m a public figure: go ahead and say, it doesn’t affect me. It also has positive aspects, though. And if I have to take stock, it’s more the love I get than the nastiness.”
Did you see Zhang here in Tokyo?
“Yes, on Friday at lunch. He hugged me, told me he was happy to see me here and that he looks forward to following me live.”
It is said: Thuram never played in the 3-5-2.
“That’s not true, a few times with Borussia Mönchengladbach we took the field with that formation. Inzaghi’s however is different. I have to understand well how it works, how everyone moves around me.”
Lautaro in the Gazzetta interview called you “a champion.” What do you say about the Argentine?
“That he surprised me. I knew about his quality. But seeing him up close impresses. He is even stronger than I thought, he is very mature, we are the same age. I am happy to play with him.”
Do you feel like promising that you will score more than 13 goals, his record?
“I work for that. When you start a season, it’s always to do better than in the past isn’t it?”
