At 40, Mathieu Valbuena is still running. The French international midfielder is playing again in Greece and took the opportunity to reveal certain anecdotes about his career, in particular the moment when he chose to join Olympique de Marseille.
Mathieu Valbuena makes the pleasure last until the end. Now aged 40, the former French international (52 caps between 2010 and 2015) has opted for abroad since leaving Olympique Lyonnais in 2017, discovering Turkey, Cyprus then Greece for seven years now. After a successful spell at Olympiakos between 2019 and 2023, Valbuena signed for Athens Kallithea this summer. As his career approaches its conclusion, the man who passed through the Girondins de Bordeaux training center gave an interview to Ouest-France in which the attacking midfielder gives some anecdotes about his career as a professional footballer. Valbuena thus returned to the moment of his signing for Olympique de Marseille in 2006, when other clubs also wanted to recruit him. As he states, the main party favored OM at Stade Rennais, to the great displeasure of his father.
Valbuena looks back on his signing for OM
The one who ultimately played 330 matches with Olympique de Marseille between 2006 and 2014 could have taken another path very early on: “At the start of my career, I could have joined Rennes before going to Marseille in 2006. I had a meeting with Pierre Dréossi (then manager of Stade Rennais). But it’s true that from the moment I had the opportunity to go to Marseille, my choice was made. Although my father didn’t entirely agree. He would have preferred that I go to Rennes, because we know very well that in Marseille, it is very difficult for a young player to be able to establish himself straight away. But there you go, I chose difficulty, and somehow, I succeeded in my bet by winning at Olympique de Marseille”he said. Ultimately, his choice paid off as he won the French Championship with OM in 2010, and also won three League Cups in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in addition to the Champions Trophy in 2010. OM fans inevitably remember his two goals in the Champions League at Liverpool in 2007 (0-1) then at Dortmund in 2011 (2-3), each time offering victory to his team.
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