Ex Juventus & Roma Defender Compares Free-Firing Inter Milan Striker With Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Edinson Cavani: “Only Seen Them Take These Steps” | OneFootball

Federico Balzaretti has waxed lyrical about Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram, comparing him with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani.

During his recent interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, as reported by FCInter1908, the former Juventus and Roma defender praised the Frenchman’s newfound ‘lethal instincts.’

After an outstanding maiden season in Serie A last term, the 27-year-old has raised the bar even higher in 2024/25.

Indeed, Thuram has forged a formidable attacking partnership with Inter captain Lautaro Martinez since day one.

The dynamic duo carried the Nerazzurri to their 20th Scudetto last season, with the French striker excelling in his first Serie A campaign.

He was devastating.

You don’t need to look beyond his eye-catching tally of 13 goals and as many assists across 35 league appearances to get that.

Former Italian Defender Federico Balzaretti Compares Free-Firing Inter Milan Striker With Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Edinson Cavani

While Lautaro has been slow out of the blocks this season, Thuram has flown out of the traps.

His phenomenal form in the first seven rounds earned him the limelight as Inter’s headline performer.

With seven goals, he’s the joint-leading goalscorer in Serie A.

Three of those seven strikes came in a dramatic 3-2 win against 10-man Torino last weekend.

Therefore, he’s running the show at Giuseppe Meazza at the moment.

Thuram’s rise to stardom at Inter has caught Balzaretti’s eye.

Impressed with the Frenchman’s scintillating form, the former Juventus and Roma defender drew a flattering comparison.

“The numbers [in terms of goals] that he is doing and continues to do, are a step in growth that I have seen playing together with Ibrahimovic, who went from a 10 goal per season player to 30 goals per season.

“Cavani did the same thing.

“Cavani played closer to the goal. Ibrahimovic changed his attitude in that he used to play trying to make others around him better, similarly to Thuram, to becoming a striker that resolved games on his own.”

Marcus Thuram is currently away on international duty with France.