It was a compelling narrative. Having come through the ranks at Marseille but never playing professionally for the club, Medhi Benatia returned in 2023 with aspirations of building an ambitious project. However, his stint as sporting director proved to be short-lived. He departed his position mere months after Roberto De Zerbi and Pablo Longoria, following what was widely considered a disastrous season for OM.

Benatia’s continued influence at Olympique Marseille

Despite his official departure, speculation persists that Benatia continues to operate behind the scenes for OM, particularly on a significant ongoing transfer matter. This involves the potential move of Mason Greenwood, who is reportedly on the verge of joining AS Roma as the summer transfer window commences. While an agreement is said to have been reached between the player and the Italian club, the crucial step of finalizing terms between the two clubs remains. This is proving challenging, with Marseille reportedly seeking between €50M and €55M to release the English winger.

A costly missed opportunity for Olympique Marseille

Meanwhile, Medhi Benatia maintains a close watch on the 2026 World Cup, where a player he once coveted for OM is currently showcasing his talents. This individual is Neil El Aynaoui, the Moroccan international who previously played for Nancy and RC Lens before his current spell at AS Roma. “He is a very robust player because he combines both quality and quantity,” the former Marseille figure explained in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I didn’t understand why he played less at Roma than I had anticipated. I had attempted to bring him to Marseille, but he proved too expensive.”