At the Commandery,
I’m a big boy, I make my choices, and too bad if it doesn’t suit some people. This is essentially what the new midfielder of Olympique de Marseille, Adrien Rabiot, explained on Wednesday, during his presentation to the press, to justify his choice to join Marseille. Before detailing the reasons that pushed him to take the step of committing to OM, him the Parisian Titi, trained at PSG.
For the “ambitious project”, first, which was first presented to him by Mehdi Benatia, the right-hand man of president Pablo Longoria, then by the new coach, Roberto De Zerbi. “I joined in straight away, we know what the coach is capable of, the game he offers. It seems to be a real great challenge, with a young and quality team, with whom I will be able to achieve the club’s objectives and my personal objectives”, explained the 29-year-old international. He also hopes to be able to bring his experience to this young group.
“In search of emotions in football”
Adrien Rabiot especially “felt a determination, that of wanting me, that I had not necessarily felt in other clubs. These are things that matter to me”, he specified, he who seems to function a lot on affect. After a break after the Euro to recharge his batteries and enjoy his family and friends, he did not feel this same desire with Atlético Madrid, and AC Milan, clubs with whom he was in discussions. And it was finally a text message from Mehdi Benatia that began to germinate the little seed of a possible arrival at OM.
He is now “happy to be here”, and was even pleasantly surprised by the welcome he received from the 500 supporters when he arrived in Marignane on Monday evening. “I didn’t necessarily expect animosity, but I didn’t expect 500 supporters to welcome me either”, admitted the OM number 25, who added that “a city like Marseille, a stadium with one of the best atmospheres in Europe, the passion for the people, that counted because I’m constantly looking for emotion in football”.
And too bad for those who find fault with his arrival, even if he had confided in 2016 that he would never be able to wear an OM jersey. “No, I don’t have to explain anything to anyone, I’m making my career. What it teaches is that in life nothing is impossible, there are certain things that we say when we’re younger, and with more experience and certain circumstances, it can turn out to be different. I made my choice calmly, and I’m very happy to be here. It may have disappointed some, but it’s a choice that belongs to me,” he swept aside with all the intelligence and perspective that seem to characterize him.
Too fair for the Olympico
Even his family, who were also initially surprised by such a choice, now seem won over to see him so happy. “It might not have seemed obvious to them either, but by talking with the management and seeing the enthusiasm of the supporters on the networks even before my arrival, they became very happy for me and it is important that my family is well, and behind me,” insisted Adrien Rabiot, represented by his mother, Véronique Rabiot.
Now all that remains is to prove himself on the pitch, for the man who admitted to “watching OM matches” when he was 10/12 years old. “Mamadou Niang, Maoulida, Oruma, Taiwo, I liked watching Marseille, but also other teams”, so as not to offend anyone. His big debut will not be against Lyon, Sunday evening, since the midfielder himself admitted to being too short: “I also know that I will be expected. I want to arrive in the right conditions, to be ready, I really want to”. Don’t panic, the classic doesn’t arrive until October 27, Rabiot has plenty of time ahead of him.
