Florian Thauvin: “When I leave, I want to go home to France”

Florian Thauvin (31), part of the World Cup-winning French squad of 2018, had disappeared into relative obscurity in the eyes of European football fans upon leaving Olympique de Marseille in 2021 to join compatriot André-Pierre Gignac at current Mexican Champions Tigres UANL.

Now back in Europe at Udinese Calcio, the Frenchman is in decent form for the Zebrette with five goals and three assists in 21 games in all competitions. According to L’Équipe, despite being seemingly at home in Serie A, Thauvin misses home and hopes to come back to Ligue 1 when the time comes to leave Italy. 

“Yes, I miss Ligue 1 and I miss the French lifestyle too. Ligue 1 is a league I know particularly well in which I have previously reached my highest level. At some point, if I have the possibility and an interesting project presents itself, of course I’d love to come back[…]I’m just looking to have fun on the pitch, I feel superb physically, tactically I’m still the same player as I’ve always been. Here at Udinese, we play a 3-5-2 formation and I’m up front, it’s something a little different from the rest of my career but I’m learning alot, even if I’m naturally still a winger. It’s a little annoying that people think I’ve retired just because no one sees me play anymore.“

Under contract until 2025 and facing a relegation battle with Udinese (16th in Serie A, 1 point above the relegation zone), It might be a case of later rather than now for former Marseille and Newcastle United man Florian Thauvin.