France FIFA World Cup Star Reveals: ‘It Was My Choice To Wear Number Nine For Inter Milan’ | OneFootball

Striker Marcus Thuram wears the number nine shirt at Inter Milan because of his own decision last summer.

The 26-year-old spoke to French broadcaster Telefoot, via FCInterNews, during the Nerazzurri’s Serie A title celebrations yesterday.

Last summer’s move to Inter was a big one for Thuram on a number of levels.

One key aspect to the transfer was that the Nerazzurri clearly wanted the Frenchman to play as a centre-forward.

During his four seasons at Borussia Monchengladbach, Thuram had displayed positional versatility. He had played on the wing, in attacking midfield, and as an outright number nine.

And it was in the latter role that Inter wanted to utilize Thuram.

The Frenchman has said that Inter’s desire to play him as an out-and-out striker was a key reason why he decided to join.

And playing in Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 system, leading the line alongside Lautaro Martinez, has gotten the best out of Thuram’s qualities.

The Frenchman decided to inherit the number nine shirt from Edin Dzeko. And he has certainly not crumbled under the pressure.

Marcus Thuram: “Number Nine At Inter My Decision”

Thuram said that “It was my choice, to wear number nine.”

“Because I thought that the time had come to embody what I wanted to represent,” the 26-year-old continued.

“When I come into the dressing room and see the number nine – I already know what I have to do.”

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe had already suggested to Thuram that centre-forward was the right position for him.

“He was right,” Thuram noted. “But at the time I didn’t want to hear it. Because at the time I had the wrong conception of what the role of central striker was.”

Of first being used as a centre-forward by Daniel Farke at Borussia Monchengladbach, Thuram said that “He simply explained to me that I had the perfect qualities to play as a nine for him.”

“I let myself be convinced,” the Inter striker continued.

“Then I also spoke to my father [Lilian Thuram],” he noted. “And he was also convinced of it.”

“For me, it’s like I’ve begun my career a second time. It’s been electrifying.”

And Thuram described the feeling of winning the Serie A title with Inter as “Fantastic.”

“I feel immense pride for the fans,” he continued. “For this shirt, and for the history of this club.”

“I’m super happy!” Thuram said. “The two stars represent the twentieth title in Inter’s history, and I’m immensely proud of that.”