KHEPHREN THURAM JOINS FATHER LILIAN IN POWERFUL GLOBAL STAND AGAINST FOOTBALL RACISM
Khephren Thuram demands tougher consequences for racism, supporting Vinicius Jr after the Benfica incident.
Khephren Thuram, Juventus’s midfielder, recently opened up about the ongoing problem of racism in football during an interview with Canal+. He focused on a recent incident in a Champions League match where Benfica’s young player, Prestianni, was accused of directing racist insults at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. Thuram didn’t hold back: “It’s tough for a young Black lad. Even in 2026, people can still be attacked just because of their skin colour. When Vinicius was attacked, it felt like it was me. It could have been me. All because I’m black. I honestly don’t have the answer to stop this, especially not inside stadiums.”
Thuram expressed his frustration and empathy, pointing out how deeply the issue hits home for players like him. Vinicius and his teammates accused Prestianni of racist remarks, but the Benfica player denies it. Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated case; Vinicius has faced racist abuse multiple times in Spain and elsewhere across Europe.
“What Vinicius went through is something I could face too,” Thuram added. “And all for being black? I don’t know how to make this stop in stadiums.” He mentioned that leaving the pitch might be an option, but emphasised his desire to continue playing football; it’s his profession and passion. “There should be tougher consequences for those who behave like this. Why am I the one expected to leave the field? The offender should be the one kicked out. It’s time to take this seriously and put an end to these senseless acts.”
The stand against racism runs deep in Thuram’s family. His father, Lilian Thuram, is a former French World Cup winner and ex-Juventus defender, well-known for his anti-racism activism and for founding a foundation aimed at education to fight prejudice. Khephren’s brother, Marcus, is also in Serie A, playing for Inter Milan.
On the field, Khephren has contributed with three goals and four assists in 37 matches this season. He’s under contract with Juventus until June 2029, continuing to build his career amid challenges both on and off the pitch.
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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