Florent Malouda: Former Chelsea star makes unexpected millitary career move

Florent Malouda, the former Chelsea star, has made an unexpected career change – swapping his football boots for military boots. The 44-year-old, who was part of the famous Chelsea team that won the UEFA Champions League in 2012, has reportedly joined the French military in French Guiana.

Malouda, who spent six successful seasons at Stamford Bridge, has signed up with the 3rd Forest Infantry Regiment’s citizens’ reserve. This move is unusual for a former footballer but is seen as a commendable step in his life.

For those who remember Malouda as a key player in Chelsea’s 2012 victory, this career switch comes as a surprise. However, his deep ties to his birthplace, Cayenne in French Guiana, appear to have played a big role in his decision.

In a recent post on Instagram, Malouda shared a photo of himself in military gear, surrounded by the lush Amazon rainforest. His caption read: “While passing through the Amazon in my home territory, I was able to follow an initiation during the CEFE Authorities course of the 3rd REI at the Equatorial Forest Training Center. Thank you to @3e_rei for this moment of cohesion and for these values of team spirit in the face of adversity. These are essential values in high-level sport.”

Malouda’s football career saw him win 12 major trophies with Chelsea, and although his time at Stamford Bridge ended on a sour note – being left out of the 2012/13 season – he still has a strong connection to the club. Just weeks ago, he was seen on social media wearing Chelsea’s latest away shirt, showing that his love for the Blues remains.

Now, however, Malouda is focused on his new path in the Amazon rainforest and the military. As part of the 3rd Forest Infantry Regiment’s citizens’ reserve, he won’t be serving as a traditional soldier. Instead, he will help promote the values and missions of the military, offering his skills and experience as a civilian. The programme is designed for individuals who, while not active military members, can bring valuable expertise to the organisation.

Malouda’s connection to French Guiana goes beyond just his birthplace. In 2017, he played four times for the French Guiana national football team, as the territory is considered part of France, allowing him to represent them despite not being an independent country.

After retiring from football in 2018 following a brief spell in Luxembourg, Malouda now appears ready to embrace a very different challenge.