In the summer of 2024, following the conclusion of his contract with Juventus, French international Adrien Rabiot, a distinguished product of the Paris Saint-Germain academy, took some time before settling on his next career move. To the astonishment of many, he ultimately chose to commit to Olympique Marseille. This decision proved particularly surprising, especially considering that numerous other prestigious destinations were reportedly vying for the talented midfielder’s signature.
Having previously showcased his skills in Serie A during his tenure with Juventus from 2019 to 2024, Rabiot’s contract expiration marked a pivotal moment in his career. Despite significant interest from several top European clubs presenting potentially more ambitious projects, the player, who came through the PSG youth system, ultimately chose to bring his talents to Olympique Marseille. This preference for the French club over other continental powerhouses immediately sparked widespread discussion within the football community.
Ancelotti’s interest at Real Madrid
Beyond his formative years at PSG, Rabiot’s decision to join OM was particularly perplexing given that the Phocéen club was not competing in any European competition at that time. Nevertheless, the French international was ultimately convinced by the Marseille project. Intriguingly, he could have instead signed with Spanish giants Real Madrid. During Rabiot’s strong performances for the French national team at the World Cup, a Spanish journalist highlighted on social media that Rabiot was without a team on August 30, 2024, and that then-Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had expressed a desire to sign him. Despite Ancelotti’s clear interest, Adrien Rabiot ultimately did not move to the Spanish capital, opting instead for Marseille.
An audacious approach
The architect behind Adrien Rabiot’s arrival at Olympique Marseille was Medhi Benatia, who served as the club’s director of football at the time. Benatia, now an ex-director for Marseille, recounted the extraordinary circumstances of securing this significant acquisition. He explained that Rabiot was a free agent, having not extended his contract with Juventus. Despite having numerous options, he hadn’t finalized a deal for various reasons. Benatia, having closely followed the transfer market, decided to take a bold approach. Knowing Rabrien’s deep passion for football and his commitment, Benatia took the chance, believing he had nothing to lose by making an offer. To his surprise, Rabiot called him back just 24 hours later, much sooner than the 48 hours Benatia had given him to consider. Rabiot confirmed his decision, stating his willingness to join, largely influenced by the way Benatia had discussed football with him.
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