Marcus and Khéphren Thuram express “pride” at joint France call-up | OneFootball

Facing the media together at today’s press conference at Clairefontaine, the Thuram brothers – Marcus and Khéphren – discussed what it meant to be called up to the French national team together, not least as the sons of one of Les Bleus’ greatest defenders.

Marcus first expressed his “pride” at seeing his little brother in the national team – “I was more proud for him than I was for myself. He’s a very serious person, he’s impressed me and he’ll continue to improve”. The Borussia Mönchengladbach forward also made a light-hearted dig on being asked whether there was any competition between the two – “Don’t worry, there’s no competition between us. Maybe because he’s the younger brother, he wants to catch up with me. But it’s always with love and good spirit. We tease each other sometimes when he scores and I don’t. Which is quite rare because usually I’m the one that’s scoring! But it all stays good-natured.”

Khéphren, who was called up to the senior team by Didier Deschamps for the first time on Thursday, also shrugged off the suggestion that he has had to develop in his brother and father’s shadows – “I’ve not been in anyone’s shadow. It’s a source of pride and joy to have a brother like Marcus”.

“Marcus is a very cheerful person and he has confidence in his abilities. I know he can go much further and he’s working hard for that.”

When asked about the prospect of playing together in the same club in the near future, Marcus sought to point out that the two had separate careers to lead, although if they do end up in the same place it would be a “pleasure” – but not “an obsession.”

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin