A great honour for Corentin Tolisso! At the Trophées UNFP du football, the FC Bayern midfielder was presented with a special award for his extensive engagement in social issues. The annual award, also known as the French Football Oscars, is run by the Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels, the French professional footballers' union. "I'm very happy to be receiving this trophy," said the 26-year-old at the digital awards ceremony.
Tolisso has been involved with helping people with disabilities for years, supporting numerous projects, including the Handicap Tous Mobilisés network. "My mother used to work in an institution for disabled people. I told myself then that if I had the opportunity, I would help these people," said Tolisso.
Especially in times of the coronavirus pandemic, the effects of which complicate the everyday lives of many people with disabilities, it's "nice to help these people and put a smile on their faces", Tolisso explained. The France midfielder regularly takes part in video conferences with children and their families. "The conversations are mainly about football, of course, but we also dance and sing songs by Soprano (French rapper, editor's note)," he continued.
Special goal celebration against Chelsea
He himself learns a huge amount from the discussions with the children. For example, youngster Paul introduced him to the sign language Makaton. When Tolisso scored against Chelsea in the second leg of last year's Champions League round of 16, he dedicated the goal to Paul by making the sign "For you".
Corentin Tolisso has received a call-up to the France EURO 2020 squad: