- A former Chelsea star has taken a trip to the wild side with an Amazonian army
- He also befriended a cheetah and recently taught soccer in Kazakhstan.
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A former Chelsea star swapped Stamford Bridge for the Amazon rainforest in the most shocking move of the January transfer window.
Florent Malouda has completed a military initiation in his native French Guiana and has been passing on his wisdom to the next generation of soldiers.
The 44-year-old won six trophies in six seasons with Chelsea, including the Premier League in 2010 and the Champions League in 2012.
But he was forced to resign from the youth team during his final season after demanding his exit and subsequently rejecting all offers for financial reasons.
In recent times, Malouda has befriended a cheetah in Dubai and helped a football academy in Kazakhstan, but his immersion in military life only increases his status as one of the cult personalities of the Premier League finals. from the 2000s and early 2010s.
Malouda partnered with the 3rd Forest Infantry Regiment's citizen reserve, taking trips down the river, making tents, swinging on wooden bars and sharing life lessons with young colleagues.
Former Chelsea star Florent Malouda has enlisted as a reserve army officer in the Amazon rainforest
Malouda has joined the citizen reserve of the 3rd Forest Infantry Regiment in French Guiana
He spent six seasons at Chelsea and won the Champions League in 2012 in Munich.
The French government describes the reserve as a program that “allows civilians (often renowned in their fields) to make a voluntary contribution to promote the values and missions of the military institution, without being military personnel themselves.”
Malouda wrote on Instagram: 'Thank you to @3e_rei for this moment of cohesion and for these values of team spirit in the face of adversity. These are fundamental values in high-level sport.'
The former Chelsea star was even rewarded with a medal for his service.
French Guiana, an overseas department of the French Republic, is not a FIFA nation, so Malouda played 80 times for France during his international career.
In 2017, five years after his last international cap for France, he tried to register for the French Guiana team, but did not obtain a waiver.
He was still lined up as captain for a CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Honduras and after a 0-0 draw the game was forfeited due to his participation.
However, eight years later he is considered eligible for the army.
“The #3REI welcomes Florent Malouda as an officer into its citizen reserve,” the organization wrote on Instagram.
He has been passing on his wisdom and values to other members of the military.
Malouda received a medal for his service in the jungle, where he was trapped with other recruits.
He wore the Chelsea away shirt just a few weeks ago, so he seems to still have a fondness for the club.
“After an exceptional career in international football, he has a heart to share and pass on the values of commitment to Guyanese youth alongside the 3rd King's Legionnaires.”
Malouda played 706 games at club level throughout his career, scoring 119 goals during his spells in France, England, Turkey, India, Egypt and Luxembourg.
In his prime at Chelsea, he was a prolific contributor on the wing, scoring 29 goals in two seasons between 2009 and 2011.
He clearly still has a fondness for the Blues, having posted a photo of himself in their away kit just three weeks ago.