The football world is currently focused on the 2026 World Cup in the Americas, and Medhi Benatia is no exception. The former Olympique de Marseille sporting director, fresh from a turbulent stint at the club, has revealed he once tried to bring a rising star to the Stade Vélodrome.
A short-lived return to Marseille
Benatia’s homecoming in 2023 was meant to be a grand project. Having come through Marseille’s academy without a senior appearance, he returned to build an ambitious squad. However, the plan unravelled quickly. After a catastrophic season, Benatia departed months after Roberto De Zerbi and Pablo Longoria left their roles.
Still pulling strings behind the scenes
Despite his exit, sources suggest Benatia continues to work for OM in the background, especially on the high-profile transfer of Mason Greenwood. The English winger is reportedly close to joining AS Roma, with a personal agreement already in place. Marseille are demanding between €50 and €55 million for his departure, making negotiations tricky.
“I tried to bring him to Marseille, but he was too expensive”
While waiting for that deal to progress, Benatia is monitoring the 2026 World Cup, where a player he once coveted is now shining. That player is Neil El Aynaoui, a Moroccan international who previously played for Nancy and RC Lens before joining AS Roma. “He is a very solid player because he combines quality and quantity,” Benatia said in an interview. “I never understood why he played less at Roma than I expected. I tried to bring him to Marseille, but he was too expensive.”
