Marcus Thuram continues proud tradition of football sons following in the footsteps of famous fathers

Sometimes parents' expertise can be a fast-track to success instead of an intimidating frontier as French forward aims to guide Borussia Monchengladbach into the Champions League knockout stages

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Justin Kluivert (RB Leipzig); Patrick Kluivert (Ajax, Barcelona, Netherlands). Getty Images

Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund); Claudio Reina (Rangers, Sunderland, Man City, USA). Getty Images

Federico Chiesa (Juventus); Enrico Chiesa (Parma, Lazio, Italy). AFP, Getty Images

Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach); Lilian Thuram (France, Barcelona, Juventus). AFP

Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund); Alf-Inge Haaland (Leeds, Manchester City, Norway) AFP, PA Images

Thiago, right (Liverpool), his brother Rafinha, centre and(PSG); Mazinho, left, (Brazil). AFP

When Lilian Thuram, the most capped French footballer of all time, joined Barcelona for the last phase of his storied club career, he enrolled his oldest son at the club’s academy.

It was 2006, Marcus was only nine, so a sporting career for the boy was far from the parents' thinking. But dad kept an eye out, and on learning that his first-born, tall and quick, had been earmarked as a defender, he advised him to try playing higher up the pitch.

Sound instincts, as it turned out. Marcus Thuram last month won his first three caps for France on the left of a front three, from where he was Borussia Monchengladbach's leading scorer last season and from where, on Tuesday against Inter Milan, he aims to drive Monchengladbach into the knockout phase of the Champions League.

Thuram’s two goals against Real Madrid on Matchday 2 helped set the path, the springboard for a campaign that has upset the natural order of Group B, which Monchengladbach lead.

To be the son of a famous, successful sportsperson is to learn the habits of professionalism from the cradle, and sometimes to imbibe the joys.

Marcus was born in Italy less than two years before his father won the Uefa Cup with Parma. He was 11 months old when Lilian, from full-back, scored two goals in a World Cup semi-final ahead of lifting the game's greatest prize.

By the time Kephren, Marcus’s younger brother and now a midfielder with Nice, was born in 2001, Lilian was being persuaded to join Juventus, as the sport’s most expensive defender.

Antonio Conte would be his Juve captain; the same Conte is now Inter’s coach, preparing not only to confront the talented offspring of an old friend but probable elimination from Europe’s premier competition. Winless Inter are bottom of Group B.

Conte recalls the older Thuram as a superb central defender and right-back; Marcus has made the opposite end of the field his domain. But the resemblances are there, in personality as much as anything.

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Marcus Thuram takes a knee after scoring

Moenchengladbach's French forward Marcus Thuram takes a knee to show solidarity with protesters in America outraged by the death of George Floyd, who was killed in a violent police incident in Minneapolis last week. AFP

Union Berlin's Swedish forward Sebastian Andersson, second left, celebrates after scoring to reduce Borussia Monchengladbach. AFP

Union Berlin's Rafal Gikiewicz in action against Borussia Moenchengladbach at Borussia-Park. Reuters

A TV camera operator wears a face protection mask, surrounded by cardboards with photos of Moenchengladbach fans on the stands. AFP

Borussia Moenchengladbach's Marcus Thuram celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters

Moenchengladbach's German defender Matthias Ginter, left, and Union Berlin's German forward Marius Buelter vie for the ball. AFP

Cardboards with photos of Moenchengladbach fans are seen on the stands prior to the . The banners on the stands read: "For Borussia. Against ghost games!" AFP

Moenchengladbach's French forward Marcus Thuram scores to make it 2-0. AFP

Cardboards with photos of Moenchengladbach fans are seen on the stands during warm up. AFP

Union Berlin's Polish goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz reacts after conceding the first goal. AFP

Moenchengladbach's French forward Marcus Thuram, second left, scores. AFP

Moenchengladbach's Algerian defender Ramy Bensebaini (R) and Union Berlin's Danish forward Marcus Ingvartsen vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Moenchengladbach v Union Berlin in Moenchengladbach, western Germany, on 31 May, 2020. RESTRICTIONS: DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO / AFP / POOL / Martin Meissner / RESTRICTIONS: DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO

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Lilian combined his exceptional sporting career with erudite and impactful campaigning against racism. He named his son after Marcus Garvey, the 20th-century Jamaican activist, and in June he watched Marcus take a knee after scoring a goal in June, well before the gesture became widespread in elite football.

Comparisons are inevitable, but Marcus deals easily with them. “My father’s not a legend to me, he’s just my dad.” And he’s far from alone for carrying an instantly-recognised surname into the elite theatre of club football among the rising stars of his generation.

There’s Federico Chiesa, the winger whose Juventus have already sealed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, who is almost a twin to Marcus Thuram. Chiesa junior was born in Parma a couple of months after Marcus, nine months before their fathers, club colleagues, were competing for a place in the last four of a World Cup, Enrico Chiesa’s Italy losing out to France on penalties.

In the same World Cup, Patrick Kluivert’s goals were helping Holland to within penalties of the final. His son Justin is with RB Leipzig, about to pick their way through a tense Group H, where the German club are locked on six points with Paris Saint-Germain.

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Footballers with famous fathers

GEORGHE HAGI (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Galatasaray and Romania): The greatest footballer in Romanian history and one of the finest players in the world during the 1980s and 90s. A top-rank playmaker with supreme vision, passing skills, creativity and finishing ability. The joint all-time leading goalscorer of the Romania national side with 35 goals who played for some of European football’s top sides. Georghe, 55, is now owner and manager of Romanian side Viitorul Constanta. Getty

IANIS HAGI (Rangers and Romania): Attacking midfielder, 21, who has just signed permanently for Scottish side Glasgow Rangers after a successful loan spell. “Ianis is an outstanding talent,” said Gers manager Steven Gerrard this season. “You have to respect and understand that this kid is his own man. He wants to make a name for himself and he is more than capable of making a huge name for himself.” PA

JOHAN CRUYFF (Ajax, Barcelona and the Netherlands). One of the finest players to play the game and a pioneering manager. Dominated club football as a creative midfielder during his playing days with Ajax and Barcelona, winning numerous domestic and European titles, before enjoying similar success as a coach with both clubs. His footballing philosophy of maintaining possession with short passes and quick movement, is still influential to this day. Johan died from cancer in 2016 aged 68. Allsport

JORDI CRUYFF (Barcleona, Manchester United, Alaves and the Netherlands): A daunting prospect following in his father’s footsteps but still managed to play for some of Europe’s biggest clubs and won nine caps for his country, but saw his career hampered by injuries. His father was manager at Barca when Jordi, who is now 46, broke into the first-team squad. "On the training field, if I made a mistake then my father would have a go at me more than anyone else. He wanted to show that he wasn't doing me any favours.” Getty

DANNY BLIND (Ajax and the Netherlands): Defender who spent seven seasons at Sparta Rotterdam before joining Ajax, where he would spend the rest of his glittering career. He is only one of two Dutch players, alongside Arnold Muhren, to have won all three Uefa club cups (Uefa Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and the Champions League) and the Intercontinental Cup. Danny also won 42 caps for his country. Danny, now 58, has also been manager of Ajax and the national team. Getty

DALEY BLIND (Ajax, Manchester United and the Netherlands): Versatile player who can play in defence or midfield, Daley has won numerous trophies in his playing career with Ajax - where he still plays, aged 30 - and Manchester United. He has also won 69 caps for his country. After his father was sacked as Netherlands coach in 2017, he said: “We worked together at the highest level, a dream for both of us as father and son. It was not always easy and did not always sit comfortably. But I'm proud of the way you always took responsibility and never gave up." Getty

LILIAN THURAM (Monaco, Parma, Juventus, Barcelona and France): Quick, powerful and athletic defender who is the most capped player in French history with 142 appearances. Lifted numerous trophies in France, Italy and Spain in a stellar club career as well as winning the European Championship and World Cup with France. Regarded as one the finest defenders of the modern era. Getty

MARCUS THURAM (Guingamp, Borussia Monchengladbach): While his father was one of the finest defenders in the world in his prime, Marcus is making a name for himself at the other end of the pitch. The 1.92m tall attacker moved to Gladbach last summer and has instantly looked at home, scoring 10 goals in 29 Bundesliga appearances. When asked this season if had received advice from his dad about becoming a pro player, Marcus said: “He has a good idea about how to be a good man and I think when you’re a good man, life rewards you with some good things.” Reuters

PAUL INCE (Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool and England): Combative, hard-working midfielder but also technically and tactically astute. Won trophies galore with United and enjoyed a successful two-year spell in Italy with Inter. Earned 53 caps for England and was the first black player to captain the Three Lions. The 52-year-old has struggled to establish himself as a manager and his last coaching job was with Blackpool in 2014. Getty

TOM INCE (Blackpool, Derby, Huddersfield, Stoke): Versatile attacking midfielder with a knack for goals who has not quite lived up to his early promise. Was a youth-team player with Liverpool and was capped by England at Under-17, U-19 and U-21 levels. Left Anfield on a free transfer after a contract dispute in 2011 and, while not establishing himself at the very top level, Tom (now 28) has still enjoyed a good pro career, mostly in the second-tier of English football. Speaking in 2013 about his dad, Tom said: "As a kid he used to make me cry. If I had a bad game he would be screaming in my face and telling me I'm this and that. [But] that is only going to make me stronger.” Reuters

DIEGO SIMEONE (Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Lazio and Argentina): Decorated tough-tackling midfielder for club and country. Won league titles and cups in Spain and Italy, as well as the Uefa Cup. Won 106 caps for Argentina, lifting the Copa America twice. Now 50, Diego has established himself as a top manager at Atletico Madrid winning La Liga, the Copa Del Rey, Europa League twice and been Champions League runner-up twice. Getty

GIOVANNI SIMEONE (Genoa, Fiorentina, Cagliari and Argentina): Striker moved to Serie A from Argentine side River Plate as a 21-year-old, enjoying a successful first season scoring 12 goals in 35 appearances. Joined Fiorentina, where he spent two seasons scoring 20 goals. The 24-year-old, currently on loan at Cagliari, has won five caps for Argentina, scoring one goal. In 2018, Giovanni said: “At the beginning, my surname weighed on me, but it's different now. I'm a striker and if I score in a game it's all about that. I hope he can become my coach one day, even if it's difficult to join a group where the coach is your father.” Getty

HENRIK LARSSON (Feyenoord, Celtic, Barcelona and Sweden): Reliable goalscorer for club and country. Enjoyed particularly prolific spells in Sweden and Scotland - scoring a remarkable 242 goals in 315 matches for Glasgow Celtic and won the league title four times. In his two seasons in Spain, he would win La Liga twice and the Champions League. Scored 37 times in 106 appearances for Sweden. Now aged 48, Henrik has been manager of three Swedish clubs, quitting his last job as Helsingborgs coach last August. Getty

JORDAN LARSSON (Helsingborgs, Norrkoping, Spartak Moscow and Sweden): The 22-year-old is a striker like his dad and, after playing for various Swedish clubs, is currently trying to make a name for himself in Russia, scoring five goals in 18 games for Spartak. “My father was a true striker,” Jordan told reporters with a smile in 2017. “I’m a bit more skilful.” Left Helsingborgs where his dad was manager after the pair were involved in an ugly confrontation with fans after losing a play-off match that saw the club relegated from the Swedish top flight. Getty

IAN WRIGHT (Crystal Palace, Arsenal and England): Superb striker who made his name with London clubs Crystal Palace and Arsenal. Was the Gunners' all-time record goalscorer with 185 goals until he was overtaken by Thierry Henry. Won the league title, two FA Cups and European Cup Winners’ Cup at Arsenal as well as earning 33 England caps, scoring nine goals. Ian, now 56, is now a popular pundit with the BBC. Getty

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS (Manchester City, Chelsea, QPR and England): Flying winger Shaun burst through the ranks and established himself at City and would earn a £21 million move to Chelsea. But his career would stall at Stamford Bridge and while he would win trophies with the Blues, he would never reach the highs of those early years at City. He retired from playing aged 37 in 2019. Shaun, who scored six goals in 36 England caps, said of his father: "I was always brought up to be my own person and make my own path. I always knew that I was a different player to my dad.” Reuters

BRADLEY WRIGHT-PHILLIPS (Manchester City, Southampton, Charlton and New York Red Bulls): The forward enjoyed a good career playing outside the English top-flight before moving to the US where he became a consistent, prolific scorer with 126 goals in 240 appearances for the Red Bulls - a club record. The 35-year-old joined Los Angeles ahead of the 2020 season. “It’s very difficult to model myself after him,” Bradley said of his father in 2014: “I try and take bits from his game, but he was a great player, top level all of his career. I try to take advice from him on finishing or stuff that I might be capable of.” Getty

GEORGE WEAH (Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Liberia): Powerful and prolific Liberian striker in leagues across Africa and Europe. Lifted league titles in France and Italy, won the African Footballer of the Year award three times and was the first from his continent to win the Ballon d’Or. Scored 13 times in 53 caps for his country. Played for two seasons in the UAE Pro League before retiring aged 37 and moving into politics. The 53-year-old is currently President of Liberia. Allsport

TIMOTHY WEAH (PSG, Celtic, Lille and the United States): New York-born attacker failed to break his way into PSG’s star-studded first team and signed for Lille last summer. The 20-year-old’s hopes of kicking on at his new club have been hampered by injury. He has already made eight appearances for the US senior team, scoring one goal. In, 2018, Timothy credited his mother, Clar, rather than his footballing legend father, for getting him into the game. “She taught me the basics. She pushed me. She was my first coach ... when I was in Florida. [Dad] would just give me little pointers. He was more of the chill parent.” Getty

PATRICK KLUIVERT (Ajax, AC Milan, Barcelona and the Netherlands): Tall, quick and skilful attacker who looked set to become one of the greatest strikers of all time, starting off at Ajax before establishing himself as a top-rank player at Barcelona. But his career fell away quickly when he left Barca on a free in 2004, aged 28. That’s not to say he had not been successful, winning the Champions League and La Liga once, and the Eredivisie three times. Is also the Netherlands’ third highest scorer with 40 goals in 79 caps. Now 43, Kluivert is currently academy director at Barca. Getty

JUSTIN KLUIVERT (Ajax, Roma and the Netherlands): The 21-year-old winger is quickly becoming one of Europe’s hottest properties. Left Ajax for Roma for €18.75 million (Dh77.7m) in 2018 and has been a regular in Italy, scoring seven times in 27 games this season before the campaign was stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic. He already has two caps for his country. In 2017, while he was still at Ajax, Justin said of his father: “Being his son draws a lot of attention and expectation. It puts pressure on me but luckily I’m never nervous. I’m proud of carrying this surname; my ambition is to make it even more famous. That’s what I’m doing now.” EPA

KENNY DALGLISH (Glasgow Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland): Widely regarded as one of the finest Scotland players of all time. The striker scored 336 goals in 824 career appearances for Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous trophies including 10 league titles, four Scottish Cups, one FA Cup and three European Cups. He has earned a record number of Scotland caps - 102 - and the joint highest number of goals - 30 - with Denis Law. As manager with Liverpool and Blackburn, he won four league titles and two FA Cups. Now retired from the game aged 69.

PAUL DALGLISH (Newcastle, Norwich and Wigan): Attacker who was on the books of both his father’s former clubs - Celtic and Liverpool - as a youth-team player without making a senior appearance. Was signed by Kenny at Newcastle but left after two years without ever becoming a first-team regular. The rest of his playing career was spent playing in England - outside the top-flight, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the United States. Would go on to forge a successful coaching career in the US and the 43-year-old is currently general manager of USL Championship side Miami FA. "I'm proud of who my dad is, but I feel I've always stood on my own two feet," he said in February.. "When you are Kenny Dalglish's son, the level of expectation is the greatest player who has ever come out of Scotland. That is more an issue for other people than it ever was for me.” Allsport

PAOLO MALDINI (AC Milan and Italy): Paolo had to deal with the pressure of a famous father himself - Cesare Maldini was a quality defender and former Milan captain. But Paolo would go on to become one of the greatest defenders football has ever seen. He would spend his entire career with the Rossoneri - 25 seasons - where he would play more than 900 games, winning 25 trophies, including five European Cups and seven Serie A titles. Paolo won 126 caps for Italy, finishing runner-up in the World Cup and European Championship. The 51-year-old is currently technical director at his beloved Milan. Getty

DANIEL MALDINI (AC Milan): Carries the burden of two famous generations of Maldini on his 18-year-old shoulders, but at least he is playing a different position. Paolo has said of his son: "He is a playmaker, a goalscorer, a No 10. Of the family, starting with my father and coming to my son, he is the only one with those attitudes. He is more of a poet with the ball.” Daniel made his senior debut this season when he appeared as an injury-time substitute against Hellas-Verona. After the match, he said: “It's a dream come true. Making my debut was a target, now I hope to build on that. I felt emotional, but dad kept me calm.” AFP

PETER SCHMEICHEL (Brondby, Manchester United, Sporting Lisbon and Denmark): One of the greatest goalkeepers to have played the game. Brilliant shot-stopper, superb on crosses and a fierce competitor whose ability to command the penalty area was second to none. Won titles in Denmark, England and Portugal - but it was his eight trophy-laden seasons at United for which he will always be remembered. Earned a national record 129 caps for Denmark and helped his country win the 1992 European Championship. Since retiring, the 56-year-old worked as a TV pundit, took part in BBC show Strictly Come Dancing and hosted his own quiz show in Denmark. Getty

KASPER SCHMEICHEL (Leicester City and Denmark): Has established himself as a top-level goalkeeper in his own right. The 33-year-old is now in his tenth season at Leicester, where he is closing in on 400 appearances, and he was between the sticks when the Foxes famously won the Premier League in 2016. He has won 53 caps for his country. Talking in 2018 about growing up when his father was at his peak at Manchester United, Kasper said: “It was ... an advantage for me to have watched top level football and goalkeeping from really close up, and seen how you should live your life as a professional and what it took.”

STEVE BRUCE (Norwich City and Manchester United): One of the cornerstones of Alex Ferguson’s early success at Manchester United and yet somehow never won an England cap. A commanding centre-half who could also chip in with a few vital goals at the other end of the pitch. At United, he won the title three times, the FA Cup three times, the European Cup Winners’ Cup and the European Super Cup. The 59-year-old is currently manager of his hometown side Newcastle United. Allsport

ALEX BRUCE (Ipswich , Hull, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland): Solid defender who has twice played for teams where his father was manager - at Birmingham and Hull. The latter was the most successful spell of Alex’s career as the team won promotion to the top-flight, and reached the FA Cup final. “It’s a tricky balance, working for your dad,” Alex said of his time at Hull. “Because we were successful, it was easier. If we’d have been losing every week then ... the knives might have been out for both of us.” Alex has also managed to play for both Ireland national teams. He made two appearances for the Republic in 2007–08, but was allowed to switch to Northern Ireland in 2013 as the caps had been in friendly matches. The 35-year-old currently plays for Scottish side Kilmarnock. Getty

ALF INGE HAALAND ( Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Manchester City and Norway): A solid and reliable utility player who could play in defence and midfield and spent ten years playing in the English top-flight. Won 34 caps for his country. Getty

ERLING BRAUT HAALAND (Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and Norway): Striker who has the potential to far outweigh the achievements of his father. The 19-year-old has made a flying start to his Bundesliga career, scoring 10 goals in 11 games this season, and has already won his first cap for Norway. When asked in April whether he was already a better player than his dad, Erling said: “No, no. But hopefully one day. It has always been a motivation to become better than him, and to live the life he lived - to live off football. That’s possibly the best job you can have.” Reuters

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PSG is the new home of midfielder Rafinha, whose father Mazinho won the 1994 World Cup with Brazil, and blessed the next generation with not one but two exceptional sons.

The other is Thiago Alcantara, Champions League winner with Bayern Munich and now aspiring to add to his many honours with Liverpool.

In fact, you could assemble quite a team from the proud fathers, closely invested in the current Champions League. Carles Busquets, a goalkeeper, was in the Barcelona squad that won the European Cup in 1992. Son Sergio won three more as a Barca midfielder. Daley Blind of Ajax is the son of fellow defender Danny, Champions League winner with the same club in 1995.

And for compelling evidence that a parent's expertise is more a fast-track to success than an intimidating frontier, look only at Borussia Dortmund, where Erling Haaland has, at 20, just become the youngest player to reach 15 Champions League goals.

Only two players younger than Dortmund’s Gio Reyna have ever played in a Champions League knockout match, as Reyna did, at 17, in February. Their fathers Alfie Haaland and Claudio Reina were a little older than their gifted offspring when they, in an uncanny coincidence, received their first senior international call-ups for the same Norway versus USA game back in 1994.