Soccer
From Champions League winner to Amazonian infantry solider
Florent Malouda, former Chelsea star and Champions League winner, trains as infantry soldier in French Guiana.

Florent Malouda, a key figure in Chelsea’s golden era and a Champions League champion in 2012, has embarked on a new and demanding chapter of his life—as an infantry soldier in the Amazon rainforest. Before his success in London, Malouda had already made his mark in France, dominating with Olympique Lyon.
When José Mourinho called, Malouda jumped at the opportunity to excel in the Premier League. He represented France in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, as well as the 2008 and 2012 Euros. Later, he also played for French Guiana in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Now, at 44, Malouda has taken on the formidable task of serving his birthplace in a challenging new capacity.
While Malouda has faced intense challenges on the soccer field, this new mission may be his toughest yet. Despite maintaining excellent physical fitness, the training tested him physically and mentally as he navigated the harsh conditions of the equatorial rainforest. After successfully completing the rigorous program, Malouda joined the ranks of France’s Third Foreign Infantry Regiment.
Malouda shared his experience on social media, reflecting on the lessons learned during his training: “During my time in the Amazon in my homeland, I had the opportunity to participate in an initiation course with the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment. I’m grateful to the 3rd REI for this moment of camaraderie and for instilling the values of teamwork in the face of adversity. These values are essential in elite sports.”
The French government describes the regiment’s mission as a way for civilians to make voluntary contributions that uphold the military’s values and objectives—without enlisting as full-time soldiers.

In recent months, Malouda has also engaged with youth worldwide, from Kazakhstan to Côte d’Ivoire, where he collaborated with the Didier Drogba Foundation, an initiative led by his former Chelsea teammate.
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