With the 2026 World Cup unfolding across the American continent, former Olympique de Marseille (OM) sporting director Mehdi Benatia remains closely connected to the football world. His brief but intense tenure in the South of France left him with a lingering ambition: bringing a rising international talent to the club.
Benatia’s return to Marseille in 2023 marked a determined effort to rebuild a competitive squad under ambitious leadership. However, the project unraveled quickly as the club’s sporting director departed just months after manager Roberto De Zerbi and president Pablo Longoria, following a dismal season that saw the team struggle to meet expectations.
Behind the scenes at Marseille: an unfinished business
Despite his exit from the club’s official structure, Benatia’s influence hasn’t entirely faded. Insiders note his continued involvement in key transfer discussions, particularly surrounding the potential arrival of Mason Greenwood. Reports suggest an agreement is nearly finalized between the English winger and AS Roma, yet the critical hurdle remains securing a deal between the two clubs. Marseille’s valuation of Greenwood—estimated between €50M and €55M—has created a significant obstacle in these negotiations.
Benatia’s World Cup regret: a missed opportunity in Morocco
While the Greenwood transfer saga unfolds, Benatia’s gaze is fixed on the 2026 World Cup, where one player in particular caught his attention. Moroccan international Neil El Aynaoui, who has previously donned the jerseys of Nancy and RC Lens before joining AS Roma, stood out to the former defensive stalwart. “He is a player of exceptional quality, combining technical skill with physical presence,” Benatia shared in a recent interview. “It was puzzling to see him receive fewer minutes at Roma than anticipated. I had attempted to bring him to Marseille, but the financial demands were simply too high.”