Adrien Rabiot has therefore joined OM and already mentioned on Wednesday evening a “conscious choice” at a press conference in Marseille…
True Parisian or secret supporter of theOM ? Trained at Paris SG and a player for the capital club for seven years, the Blues midfielder (48 caps) knows that his choice may have come as a surprise, even if some testimonies have emerged, assuring that the young Rabiot would have had a weakness for OM.
“When I was younger, I liked watching OM, yes, when I was 10-12 years old. When there was Mamadou Niang, Maoulida, Oruma, Taiwo, I liked it. But I liked watching other teams too. I know you’re going to focus on that!” smiled the player, who has seen others, during his presentation press conference. “I don’t have to explain anything to anyone. I’m making my career. Certainly my choice disappointed some, but it’s a choice that belongs to me and I take responsibility for my career choices,” he also said.
“Not very nice…”
As for Marseille fans, the player’s Parisian past doesn’t weigh much in the face of his solid pedigree, as shown by the enthusiastic welcome he received at the airport on Monday. “It surprised me, of course. Since I was trained at PSG and had a certain career, I didn’t expect animosity, but I didn’t expect 500 fans to be there for me either. It shows that football dominates everything around it,” he explained.
The fact remains that the arrival in Marseille, a pitiful 8th last season and deprived of Europe this year, of a regular player at Juventus Turin and in the French team has still surprised. “It’s not very nice of OM to say that,” smiled the “Duke”, who responded by highlighting the “ambitious project” of his new club.
“There are people here who have precise ideas in mind, who know what they are doing. I felt determination and a desire to work with me that I have not necessarily felt in other clubs. We agree on ambitions,” he assured, evoking the important role in his arrival of Mehdi Benatia, the sports advisor to Marseille president Pablo Longoria, who like him has been to Juventus.
Not yet at the top
“I had discussions with some clubs and circumstances meant that I wasn’t necessarily convinced by the sporting projects. Then I got a message from Mehdi, we talked and it happened quite quickly,” explained Rabiot. “I was surprised at first and I told him. But he was straight to the point, without making a pun, he explained the Marseille project to me and he made me understand that he was excited. I liked his approach. It shows that he is ambitious and that there are big ambitions at the club,” he added.
The former Turin player also acknowledged that the presence of Roberto De Zerbi on the bench also contributed to his decision. “The coach needs no introduction. We know what he is capable of and the game he offers. It is a real challenge to come here to help a young and quality team,” he explained.
But we will still have to wait a little while to see Rabiot at work in the Marseille midfield, while some were hoping that he could play on Sunday in Lyon. “I have been working out, of course. But I am not at my best either, I have not been able to work collectively and with the ball. I feel good but I think it is a little short for this weekend,” he judged.
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