Udinese midfielder Florian Thauvin spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about his time with the club and a career filled with ups and downs. From his early days as a timid youngster to becoming a key player for Marseille and a World Cup winner with France, Thauvin’s journey has been one of constant growth and self-discovery.
Early Challenges and Overcoming Adversity
Thauvin’s path to professional football was not an easy one. At the age of 13, he left his hometown of Orléans to join the youth academy of Chateauroux. This early move forced him to grow up quickly, as he found himself alone and responsible for his own well-being. “I had to learn to do everything myself,” Thauvin recalls. “I had to understand that if I didn’t do things, no one would do them for me. I learned to survive. It helped me become a man quickly.”
His resilience was further tested at 15 when he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back. Doctors initially told him he would never play again, but Thauvin refused to give up. After seeking multiple opinions, he found a doctor who offered hope, prescribing a back brace and specific exercises. “I cried a lot,” Thauvin admits. “But then I decided not to give up. My teammates laughed at me because of the brace, but I came out stronger.”
Rising to Stardom at Marseille
Thauvin’s time at Marseille was a defining period in his career. Over seven seasons, he played 281 games, scoring 86 goals and providing 61 assists. However, the pressure of playing for such a passionate fanbase took its toll. “For me, Marseille is the most beautiful and biggest club in France,” Thauvin says. “But playing there is difficult because there’s so much passion around it. The city ‘lives’ the team, identifying with it to the point of becoming one with it. And when there’s so much passion and you don’t win, it becomes difficult to be an OM player.”
Despite the challenges, Thauvin’s performances at Marseille earned him a place in France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad. He fondly remembers his time with the national team, particularly his friendships with players like Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud.
Struggles and Self-Discovery
Thauvin’s career has not been without its setbacks. A brief stint at Newcastle United in 2015 proved unsuccessful, largely because he didn’t want to leave Marseille in the first place. “I would never have left Marseille,” he explains. “It was the president who came to tell me that he had to sell me because the club needed money and the English were offering a lot to have me.”
In 2021, feeling mentally exhausted after eight years at Marseille, Thauvin made the surprising decision to move to Tigres in Mexico. This decision came after seeking help from a psychologist, who revealed that Thauvin had been experiencing depression. “I thought: it’s not normal because I’m living the most beautiful life in the world, that of a footballer. The one I wanted. If I’ve come to feel bad, it’s time to change, take care of myself and be closer to those who really love me, my woman and my son.”
However, Thauvin soon realized that the move to Mexico was a mistake. “It was the biggest mistake of my life,” he admits. “I’m a high-level athlete, the rhythm of my day is dictated by football, and the level of Mexican football didn’t give me the opportunity to maintain certain standards.”
Finding His Place at Udinese
Thauvin’s move to Udinese has provided him with a new opportunity to prove himself. Initially struggling to gain the trust of the coach, he has worked hard to demonstrate his value. “I’ve always said that a high-level player aspires to play at the highest level,” Thauvin states. “I don’t know how it will go, but I certainly feel like a top club player.”
As captain of Udinese, Thauvin has embraced a leadership role, though he prefers one-on-one conversations with teammates over grand speeches. He appreciates the trust placed in him by the club’s president, his teammates, and the coach, Oliver Runjaic, whom he describes as passionate and respectful.
Reflecting on Italian Football and Personal Growth
Thauvin finds Italian football to be tactical and defensive, presenting a challenge for an offensive player like himself. However, he believes this has made him a stronger player. “Serie A is right after the Premier League,” he observes, noting the competitiveness of the league.
Off the field, Thauvin values privacy, particularly when it comes to his son Alessio. Unlike many celebrities who showcase their children on social media, Thauvin chooses to protect his son’s privacy, allowing him to make his own decisions about public exposure when he’s older.
Looking to the Future
As his contract with Udinese nears its end, Thauvin remains uncertain about his future but confident in his abilities. When asked if he has finally found peace within himself, Thauvin responds thoughtfully: “I don’t know. I know I want to be as strong as possible. I’m not at my best yet, but I’m sure it will come. I always need a little time to do things, but in the end, I get where I wanted to be.”
