Verbal confrontation before the shock: Thuram defies PSG, Marquinhos replies with Class
In the bubbling universe of European football, where rivalries often transcend the field, a new chapter was opened this Wednesday, October 1, 2025, on the eve of the long-awaited quarter-final of the Champions League between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. Lilian Thuram, a living legend of Barça and former emblematic captain of the 2000s, lit the wick with incendiary declarations that made the headlines. “If PSG manages to beat Barça, I will never watch football again,” he launched in the Catalan media microphones, a sly smile on his lips, during an interview withSportAnd broadcast live on social networks.
Thuram, 53, has not mince his words. The ex-French international infantress, who wore the Blaugrana jersey from 2001 to 2006 and won the Champions League in 2006, did not hesitate to target three PSG stars directly: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola. “These three? Too weak to compete with the DNA of Barça. Their goals against the Atalanta last week? Pure luck, nothing more. Mbappé short quickly, Dembélé dribble for nothing, and Barcola? A straw fire,” he said, without filter. These criticisms, pronounced with the ardor of a man who knew the greatest derbies, aim to motivate the Catalan troops, stuck in an in a sawtooth season. Barça, 12th in the group phase of the C1 after a 2-1 torn victory against Newcastle, is counting on this home game, at the Olympic stadium Lluís Companys, to relaunch its European campaign.
The reaction was quick. Less than an hour after the interview, Marquinhos, a stoic captain of PSG and pillar of Parisian defense since 2013, posted a laconic message on his Instagram account, seen by more than 5 million followers in a few minutes. Only eight words: “Words fly, acts count. See you tomorrow.” A replica of surgical elegance, which instantly toured the web. No anger, no insults, just an implicit promise of revenge on the Pré Carré. This verbal tackle, of formidable conciseness, put an end brutal to the Thuram monologue, transforming the former Blaugrana into a target of benevolent mockery on the part of Parisian supporters.
This pass of weapons is not trivial. It revives the embers of a historical rivalry, born from the epic confrontations of the 2010s, as this memorable 6-1 inflicted by Barça at PSG in 2017 (the famous “Rontada”). Today, the issues are colossal: PSG, Dolphin of Ligue 1 and 2nd of the C1 after a thunderous 4-0 against Atalanta, put on its licked attack led by a Mbappé on fire (8 goals in 6 European games) to establish its continental domination. On the other side, Barça de Hansi Flick, with a invigorated Robert Lewandowski, dreams of a burst of pride to save a season marked by internal injuries and tensions.
Social networks have exploded. On X (ex-Twitter), the hashtag #THURAMVSPSG accumulated 2 million mentions in 24 hours, with hilarious mees showing Thuram turning off his television or marquinhos mimicking a “shush” at the Lionel Messi. Figures like Rio Ferdinand, consultant for BT Sport, praised Marquinhos’ response: “That’s the leadership. No need for 500 words to make an impression.” On the Catalan side, some supporters criticize Thuram for having crossed the line, fearing a boomerang effect on the morale of the players.
Tomorrow, at 9 p.m., the whistle of referee Clément Turpin will sound. Beyond the tactics-Barcelona possession against the Parisian dazzling counters-this match will be a matter of ego and pride. Thuram, from the stands or his sofa, will he hold out? Marquinhos has already won the battle of words. It remains to be seen if the acts will follow. One thing is certain: this shock promises sparks, on and off the field.
