Former Roma and Juventus defender Medhi Benatia, now sporting director at Marseille, has opened up about his experiences in Italy and his new life in France. Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Benatia reflected on the challenges he faced when he first arrived at the Ligue 1 club, his emotional departure from Roma, and the unforgettable moments of his Juventus career.
“When I joined Marseille in November 2023, the team had just come off five straight defeats. I remember players laughing on the plane,” Benatia recalled. “I told Pablo Longoria, our president: *‘I can’t stay at a club like this, otherwise it’ll end badly.’* Players need to show passion.”
The Farewell to Roma
Benatia also looked back on his single but highly impactful season at Roma during the 2013–14 campaign under Rudi Garcia.
“I spent one year at Roma, and they called me a mercenary, but I never wanted to leave — that goodbye broke my heart,” he explained. “I wanted to renew my contract, but Walter Sabatini, to whom I owe a lot, eventually told me they had to sell me because of Financial Fair Play. Now, as a director, I understand. Back then, I didn’t. It made me angry and I asked to leave because I’d lost trust, but I really wanted to win in Rome.”
The Night Koulibaly Struck
Benatia’s time at Juventus was marked by domestic success, though not without painful moments. One in particular still lingers. During the Scudetto race with Napoli, Kalidou Koulibaly’s late header at the Allianz Stadium left Juventus briefly shaken.
“It’s impossible to forget — I didn’t sleep for three nights,” Benatia admitted. “Chiellini got injured, and I played one of my best games: clearance after clearance. Then, in the 90th minute, Albiol blocked me half‑way, and Koulibaly jumped and scored a great goal. The next week at San Siro against Inter, Allegri left me out, and I didn’t take it well. It felt like everything was my fault. But we went on to win the league and Coppa Italia — with my brace at the Stadio Olimpico. That’s a special memory, along with the goal that sent Morocco to the World Cup after 20 years. I played half‑injured that day.”
Marseille’s Rebirth and the Value of Højbjerg
Now thriving as a sporting director, Benatia took pride in the project he’s building at Marseille, particularly in his relationship with head coach Roberto De Zerbi.
“We have the same temperament — when the team doesn’t win, he suffers,” said Benatia. “He’s my best signing. Among the players, Weah stands out — Roberto called me at two in the morning during the Club World Cup for him. Then there’s Greenwood, the current top scorer in Ligue 1; Højbjerg, for his mentality; Medina, with great character; Emerson, whose value I knew but who’s surpassed expectations; and Rabiot — it could have ended differently, but he still contributed a lot to the project.”
Pressed about reported Juventus interest in Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Benatia was firm in his response.
“Pierre is very important to us — a complete midfielder,” he stated. “I met him at Bayern and brought him here to Marseille. He’s not going anywhere.”
