Medhi Benatia’s regret: the world cup 2026 talent he almost brought to marseille

The narrative began with great promise. Having been developed in Marseille’s academy but never playing professionally for the club, Medhi Benatia returned in 2023 with aspirations of spearheading an ambitious new project. However, his tenure as sporting director proved brief, ending just months after the departures of Roberto De Zerbi and Pablo Longoria, following a particularly challenging season at the OM.

Benatia’s lingering influence at OM

Despite his official departure, speculation suggests that Benatia maintains an active, behind-the-scenes role for OM, particularly concerning a high-profile transfer target. The player in question is Mason Greenwood, who is reportedly on the verge of joining AS Roma as the summer transfer window commences. While an agreement is believed to be in place between the English forward and the Italian club, the crucial step remains: finalizing terms between the two clubs. This negotiation could prove complex, as Marseille is reportedly seeking a fee in the range of €50 to €55 million for their English winger.

“I tried to bring him to Marseille, but he was too expensive”

Meanwhile, Medhi Benatia continues to monitor the 2026 World Cup, where a specific player he had hoped to recruit for OM is currently competing. This talent is Neil El Aynaoui, the Moroccan international who previously played for Nancy and RC Lens before moving to AS Roma. “He is a very robust player because he combines quality and quantity,” the former Marseille figure explained. He added, “I didn’t understand why he played less at Roma than I anticipated. I had attempted to bring him to Marseille, but his cost was prohibitive.”