Medhi benatia’s marseille transfer reflections and a missed 2026 world cup talent
As global attention turns to the ongoing 2026 World Cup in the Americas, former Olympique de Marseille sporting director, Medhi Benatia, offers insights into his tumultuous tenure at the French club. He reveals a particular regret: failing to secure a promising young international talent for OM.
Medhi Benatia, a product of Marseille’s youth academy who never played professionally for the club, made a much-anticipated return in 2023, tasked with spearheading an ambitious new project. However, his time as sporting director proved short-lived. Following a deeply disappointing season for OM, Benatia departed his role just months after both Roberto De Zerbi and Pablo Longoria, signaling the end of a challenging chapter.
benatia’s continued connection to om
Despite his official departure, whispers persist that Benatia maintains an advisory role with OM, particularly concerning high-profile transfer dealings. The most prominent of these is the ongoing saga surrounding Mason Greenwood, who is reportedly nearing a move to AS Roma this summer. While an agreement is believed to be in place between the player and the Italian club, a crucial hurdle remains: securing a deal between the two clubs. This is proving complex, as Marseille is reportedly demanding a substantial fee of 50 to 55 million euros for the English winger.
“i tried to bring him to marseille, but he was too expensive”
Meanwhile, Medhi Benatia‘s attention is also fixed on the 2026 World Cup, where a player he once coveted for OM is making an impact. This player is Neil El Aynaoui, the Moroccan international who previously played for Nancy and RC Lens before joining AS Roma. Benatia described El Aynaoui as “a very solid player who combines quality and quantity” in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. He added, “I didn’t understand why he played less at Roma than I expected. I had tried to bring him to Marseille, but he was too expensive.”
