During his trip to Hong Kong, Thuram gave an interview to Hong Kong media.
Speaking of his first experience in Hong Kong, Thuram revealed that he had played a match for Juventus in Hong Kong back in 2005, and later returned with his family. The city left a deep impression on him. He admitted that he couldn't remember the details of the match from back then, but he had a very good impression of Hong Kong overall: "I don't remember the result, the stadium, or the opponents very well. I only vaguely remember that the opponents gave us a lot of trouble, and the match seemed to have gone to penalties." He believes that Juventus' return to Hong Kong this time, and meeting with the local fans who love the team, is of particular importance.
Thuram also expressed his hope that tonight's match would be exciting enough to keep the fans entertained. In his view, European powerhouses traveling overseas for pre-season friendlies is not only about preparing for the new season, but also a valuable opportunity to connect and communicate with fans in different regions. He noted that Hong Kong fans have always been very enthusiastic about Juventus.
Speaking about the French team's performance in this World Cup, Thuram believes that their fourth-place finish exceeded expectations. He mentioned that France faced a stronger Spain in the semi-finals, and Spain ultimately won the championship, demonstrating the clear gap in strength between the two teams.
For young players and children just starting out with football, Thuram offered his advice: young players must learn to play with their brains on the field. Football is not just about physical strength and technique, but also an intellectual game. Whether in daily training or off the field, players must constantly deepen their understanding of the game.
He also shared his insights from visiting the school and speaking with the children today, reminding the kids to learn to observe the entire situation on the field. Only by clearly understanding every movement on the field can they play more calmly. Finally, he advised all the young players that the most important thing in playing football is to enjoy the entire process of training and matches; only by learning with love and joy can their skills steadily improve, and even if they pursue a professional career in the future, they must not lose this pure joy.
