Former Chelsea star and French international Florent Malouda has successfully completed military training in his birthplace, French Guiana.
The 44-year-old, who spent six seasons with Chelsea, secured six major trophies, including the Premier League title in 2010 and the Champions League in 2012.
Following his retirement from professional football, Malouda decided to join the 3rd Infantry Regiment and undertook military training in his homeland of French Guiana, located in South America.
Throughout the training program, he engaged in activities such as river navigation, constructing shelters, and mentoring younger participants by sharing his experiences and life lessons.
The French government describes this initiative as a voluntary program that allows distinguished civilians from various fields to contribute to the promotion of military values and missions without formally enlisting.
Notably, French Guiana is not a FIFA member, which is why Malouda represented France at the international level, earning 80 caps throughout his career.
Several years after his last match for France, he attempted to play for French Guiana, which competes in CONCACAF tournaments. However, his inclusion in the squad led to complications.
Despite being named captain for a Gold Cup match against Honduras, which ended in a goalless draw, French Guiana was ultimately forced to forfeit the match 3-0 due to Malouda’s ineligibility.
Over his club career, Malouda played a total of 706 matches, scoring 119 goals while competing in leagues across France, England, India, Turkey, Egypt, and Luxembourg.
