‘I’d love to be a WWE wrestler’ — Marc Guehi

England and Crystal Palace defender, Marc Guehi, has revealed that if football had not worked out for him, he would have pursued a very different career, professional wrestling.

The 25-year-old was speaking on The Football Interview, a new BBC Sport series hosted by Kelly Somers, which explores the personal journeys of leading names in sport and entertainment.

Guehi, who joined Palace in 2021 and has made over 150 appearances for the club, has enjoyed the best spell of his career so far.

He said, “I’d love to be a WWE wrestler. Growing up, watching WWE. It’s on Netflix. I’ve seen some pay-per-views. I would love to be a WWE wrestler.

“It can be dangerous but the performance side of it… I’m a good waffler on the mic… making people believe you’re the bad guy or the good guy.”

Reflecting on his early days, Guehi spoke fondly of playing Sunday League football with Cray Wanderers and growing up alongside talents like Jadon Sancho and Marlon Fossey.

He credited his rise to “God’s grace and hard work” rather than any single defining advantage.

A key turning point, he admitted, came during a loan spell at Swansea City, where he had to endure time on the bench and learn the harsh realities of professional football.

Asked about his family life, the defender revealed he still lives at home with his three younger sisters, describing them as his foundation. “They’d probably call me a troll,” he joked, adding that their constant humour keeps him balanced amid the pressures of football.

His long-term goal is to play until the age of 40 — a mark he believes would demonstrate his professionalism and dedication to the sport.

“I would love to play until I am 40. Obviously, winning trophies is great and playing in different competitions, but I think that is a real testament to how professional someone is. Obviously, there are going to be injuries, and that’s always unfortunate, but God willing I can play for that long,” he said.

Guehi captained the Eagles to a famous FA Cup final win over Manchester City earlier this year, before lifting the Community Shield against Liverpool.

Those achievements have attracted attention from top clubs, with Liverpool reportedly keen on securing his services this summer. But the centre-back insists he remains grounded, shaped by his family values and experiences coming through the game.

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