Weeks before the next Miss Universe is announced in Thailand, one Chelsea legend has been unveiled as the latest member of the competition's selection committee
15:46, 31 Oct 2025Updated 15:48, 31 Oct 2025
Miss Universe, Victoria Theilvig
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Denmark's Victoria Theilvig is the current holder of the Miss Universe title
Claude Makelele was a master in judgement during his days delighting the Chelsea faithful. And now it's time for the Frenchman to put those attributes to use as a judge in the Miss Universe 2025 beauty pageant.
Football fans have been left scratching their heads after Miss Universe announced Makelele had joined its selection committee. As such, he'll be partly responsible for deciding who is crowned the latest winner of the international honour in Thailand.
Miss Universe 2025 will be announced on Friday, Nov. 21 at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret. Denmark's Victoria Theilvig is the current holder of the award after she beat out the competition in Mexico City last year.
Makelele, 52, spent five years at Stamford Bridge and wrote his name in the club's history books while establishing himself as a fan favourite. His work in deep midfield even spawned its own name as 'the Makelele role', so synonymous was he with frustrating the opposition.
He won two Premier League titles and one FA Cup in west London, as well as being part of the squad that finished as Champions League runner-up in 2008. He left the club soon after that defeat to join Paris Saint-Germain, where he retired in 2011.
Miss Universe contestant Hana Klaut
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Miss Universe Slovenia, Hana Klaut, is targeting the big crown(Image: @hana.klaut/Instagram)
Miss Universe contestant Camille Thomas
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Camille Thomas is due to represent Curacao(Image: @camillesthomas/Instagram)
Makelele, who fought his way out of Real Madrid to join Chelsea in 2003, has held several coaching positions since hanging up his boots and most recently managed Greek side Asteras Tripolis. The veteran went undefeated in the role but left after just three weeks, citing interference from the club's board.
Prior to that, Makelele made a long-awaited return to Chelsea as a youth coach, a role he held for several years. The 71-cap former France international has also coach Bastia and Eupen in short-term stints, never truly finding his home in management.
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But perhaps beauty pageant judge could be the position he's been looking for all along. And he'll hope to utilise his skills in spotting talent to ensure the right woman comes out on top.
Denmark's Theilvig will crown her successor in Thailand after spending the past 12 months as Miss Universe. And she's got to enjoy all the benefits that come with that.
Miss Universe contestant Victoria Theilvig
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Victoria Theilvig won the Miss Universe title for Denmark in 2024(Image: @victoriaakjaer/Instagram)
Miss Universe contestant Andromeda Peters
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Andromeda Peters is set to represent Ghana in this year's competition(Image: @andromedapeters/Instagram)
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Winning Miss Universe comes with a £190,000 ($250,000) salary for the single-year reign, as well as luxury accommodation and use of a luxury New York City apartment. Winners also receive all expenses paid for international travel while making public appearances.
It's not unheard of for Miss Universe to host guest judges, with Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler and supermodel Adriana Lima among those to have accepted the honour in the past. However, former midfield general Makelele has all the potential to ensure this year's ceremony is the best organised event to date.
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