OM – Medhi Benatia, at the roots of a character

To better understand the Medhi Benatia method, look back at his years as a player. Trained at OM but without ever tasting the games of the French elite, the native of Courcouronnes was loaned to Tours, in L2, at the age of 19. Samuel Boutal, his locker room neighbor, has not forgotten the arrival of the future defender of Juventus and Bayern Munich, launched as “midfielder“. “He was a very ambitious young man who knew how to stay in his place.the ex-attacker tells us. He was not very expressive and was focused on work. He had qualities but I didn’t necessarily see him playing in such clubs. I am delighted with his career because it proves that work pays off.”

After the relegation to the National of the Touraine club, with which he participated in 30 matches (including 28 as a starter), Medhi Benatia is on loan again. Head to FC Lorient. Christian Gourcuff positions him in fourth place in the hierarchy of central defenders. The future leader of OM, often disturbed by injuries during this 2007-2008 financial year, only played one Coupe de la Ligue match (lost 0-3 against PSG) with the Merlus first team. But this experience “surely served a lot for the rest of his career“, esteemed Benjamin Genton.

“He had a lot of character and personality. He was very, very respectful but knew what he wanted and what he was worth, a bit like Riyad Mahrez who I met afterwards in Le Havre.remembers the former Lorient defender. He never gave up in training, he was a hard worker. Another thing struck me about him: he is a real, real fan of football and the game. We felt that he wanted to develop in tactical culture..”

Thomas Heurtaux rubbed shoulders with Medhi Benatia at Udinese during the 2012-2013 season then at the end of the last decade on the Serie A pitches. According to the former Caen player, the current Marseille leader, who “taken under his wing“upon his arrival, a”a superb image in Italy“. “Everywhere he went, he was loved and respected, especially by the greatest. Franck Ribéry at Bayern, Francesco Totti at Roma, Giorgio Chiellini, Gianluigi Buffon and Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus loved him. For me, this is no coincidence because he is someone who is true, upright and with values. In this environment, we don’t tell you things and we make them understand to you. With him, it’s honest and direct. Personally, he’s one of my best friends.“, confides the Sky Italia consultant to us, “not surprised that Medhi Benatia succeeds at OM today“.

In the Moroccan selection, Medhi Benatia has a total of 63 caps, including 31 as captain. Mickaël Chrétien worked alongside him for a long time with the Atlas Lions and is not surprised by the stature taken by his ex-defense friend… but also by his strong positions. “He can be direct and raw“, confides to us the current sports director of AS Nancy-Lorraine, who remembers Medhi Benatia being very hostile to “l’injustice“.

“His media outing against Lyon? Knowing him, I wasn’t surprised. He is a boy who has always taken responsibility both off and on the pitch. For me, he plays his role well in a club like Marseille and does a great job“Mickaël Chrétien believes that Medhi Benatia”speaks up to get things done without disrespect“. “Even if observers don’t like him but his team has results, that suits him very well“, he adds. This philosophy has allowed him to fill his trophy cabinet: double German champion (2015 and 2016), triple Italian champion (2017, 2018 and 2019) and best Moroccan player in the year in 2013.

From now on, OM will be deprived of their leader for three matches. But behind the scenes, Medhi Benatia will continue to play a valuable role, that of a lightning rod for the Marseille institution. With a first title for OM since the 2012 League Cup?