Thuram - brilliant defender (Allsport).
LILIAN THURAM
Position: Defender
Born: 01.01.72
Club: Juventus
Rated by many as the world's best defender, Thuram is a cultured defender who moved to Juventus for £22million last summer to further his ambitions of winning silverware.
It is a long way from when he was born in Guadeloupe before he came to join Monaco, where he played alongside the likes of Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet.
A move to Serie A and Parma in 1996 coincided with his promotion to a regular starter in the French national side.
But it wasn't until World Cup 1998 where he emerged from the shadows of his more vaunted team-mates to show the world what a great talent he is.
He single-handedly destroyed Croatia in the semi-final, but it was his attacking prowess rather than defensive capabilities that saw him take the plaudits as he scored two stunning goals.
Thuram impressed so much in the tournament that then coach Aime Jaquet made him a regular member of his side, replacing the ageing Jocelyn Angloma.
A real gentleman both off and on the pitch, this magnificent athlete went from strength to strength and provided the backbone to the French defence in their Euro 2000 success.
Thuram will provide an intimidating opponent for rival strikers in the Far East.
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