The global football community is currently focused on the 2026 World Cup, and Medhi Benatia is no exception. After a high-pressure period at Olympique de Marseille, the former sporting director is looking back at the strategic moves he hoped to finalize for the French club.
The return of Medhi Benatia to Marseille in 2023 was seen as a homecoming for a figure who trained at the club without ever making a professional appearance. However, his mission to revitalize the squad was short-lived. He departed the club following the exits of Roberto De Zerbi and Pablo Longoria, concluding a difficult season for the OM project.
The ongoing influence of Benatia at OM
Despite his official departure, Benatia remains active behind the scenes. He is currently playing a role in the complex negotiations involving Mason Greenwood. The English winger is reportedly nearing a move to AS Roma. While personal terms between the player and the Italian side seem settled, the financial gap remains a significant hurdle. Marseille is standing firm on a valuation between 50 and 55 million euros to authorize the transfer.
The missed opportunity with Neil El Aynaoui
While monitoring the 2026 World Cup, Benatia highlighted a specific player he deeply admires: Neil El Aynaoui. The Maroc international, who rose through the ranks at Nancy and RC Lens, is now part of the AS Roma squad. Benatia describes him as an exceptionally solid player who perfectly combines technical quality with physical volume.
He admitted that he actively pursued Neil El Aynaoui for Marseille, but the financial demands of the deal proved insurmountable at the time. There is a sense of surprise that the midfielder has not featured as prominently as expected in Italie, especially considering the high price tag that ultimately prevented his arrival at the Vélodrome.