Former French footballer Claude Makelele, a multi-champion with Real Madrid and World Cup runner-up with his national team, will be part of the Miss Universe 2025 gala, which will take place on November 21 at the Impact Arena in Pak Kret, Thailand.

The organizing committee announced his participation through Instagram, highlighting the "legacy and integrity" of the 52-year-old former midfielder. "We are honored to welcome Claude Makelele to our selection committee for the 74th edition of Miss Universe. An iconic figure in soccer, his influence transcends the field of play," the official statement said.

The organization emphasized that the Frenchman "continues to inspire generations with his leadership, excellence and commitment," values that will bring a different perspective to the selection of the next Miss Universe.

Makelele was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1973 and moved to France with his family at the age of four. He made his professional debut with Nantes in 1992 and was crowned Ligue 1 champion in 1995. He later played for Olympique de Marseille and Celta Vigo before joining Real Madrid in 2000, where he won seven titles, including a Champions League and two Spanish La Liga titles.

After his time with the Spanish club, he continued his career at Chelsea and ended his career as a footballer at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was crowned champion of the Coupe de France in 2010. At international level, he played more than 50 matches with France and was runner-up in the 2006 World Cup.

After retiring, Makelele began a career as a coach and director, working with teams such as PSG, Bastia, Monaco, Swansea City and KAS Eupen. His last experience was with Asteras Tripolis in Greece, from which he left in October 2024 due to differences with the management. In his personal life, he had a relationship with model Noemie Lenoir, with whom he had a son, Kelyan, in 2005.