What has become of Thomas Thouroude? It's a question many viewers are still asking, as the former host of "Le Before du Grand Journal" and "L'Équipe du dimanche" has disappeared from the mainstream media spotlight since the late 2010s. In reality, at 47, the journalist still leads a busy career, primarily focused on sports, working in both television and podcasts. Now firmly established in the world of football, he continues his journey at beIN Sports, where he remains a regular presence on major Champions League nights. Since 2024, he has also hosted the "Liga Extra" podcast, a must-listen for Spanish football fans, which he co-hosts with Omar Da Fonseca and Benjamin Da Silva. A strong presence, but far removed from the media frenzy that characterized the early years of his career.
Before becoming one of France's most recognizable sports journalists, Thomas Thouroude's career was marked by breaks and reinventions. Born in Béjaïa, Algeria, he grew up in Normandy and initially pursued a career as a rugby player before becoming a journalist. Playing flanker for PUC in the Fédérale 1 league in the early 2000s, on a team coached by Vincent Moscato and featuring players like Dimitri Yachvili and Jacques Boussuge, he even won a national title. This sporting trajectory would leave a lasting mark on his on-air style: direct, frank, physical, tinged with humor, and always imbued with genuine passion.
A graduate of the CFJ (Centre de Formation des Journalistes), he began his career at Radio France Basse-Normandie in 1999 before joining Infosport, then I-Télé. Canal+ quickly seized his energy: first on "Les Spécialistes," then on "L'Équipe du dimanche," which he hosted from 2010 to 2014. This was followed by programs about English football, Formula 1, and then "Le Before" in prime time, a bold attempt that suffered from weak ratings. The turning point came in 2016: Thouroude left Canal+, joined Europe 1 and France Télévisions… before an abrupt break following a critical interview about France 3. The TeamThe episode concludes its "generalist" period and marks its definitive return to sports.
Since 2020, his career has become more focused. He spent some time with Free Ligue 1, then joined beIN Sports where he found a more stable rhythm, alternating between European evenings and tactical analysis. His profile, while less high than during his time at Canal+, remains strong among sports fans. Meanwhile, his roots in La Rochelle (where he lives with his family) provide him with a balance between Paris and rugby, his first passion, which he continues to comment on with expertise.
Today, Thomas Thouroude enjoys a more serene but still very active career: from rugby to the Champions League, from television to podcasts, he has become an expert, precise, and appreciated figure, known for his sports knowledge and offbeat style. His podcast "Liga Extra," which delves into the inner workings of Spanish football each week, confirms his status: that of a journalist who has weathered changing times, bounced back from setbacks, and reinvented himself without ever losing his passion for analyzing sports.
Nearly 25 years after his debut, the former flanker is still standing, still passionate. Simply… elsewhere. And freer than ever.
