Benatia: Koulibaly’s goal kept me up, we lack tough players | OneFootball

Medhi Benatia is now living his third life in football. After a career as a top-level defender and a brief stint as an agent, the former center-back has returned to where it all began: Marseille.

Olympique Marseille, Benatia: “I didn’t sleep for three nights because of Koulibaly’s goal. Today, the ‘bad guys’ are missing, I…”

For two years, he has been the sporting director of Olympique and is leading an ambitious project built on identity, character, and clear ideas. In a long interview, Benatia retraces his past, analyzes today’s football, and candidly shares what made him one of the most respected leaders of his generation.

Guidolin, the man who changed his career

When asked who he owes the most to, Benatia has no doubts: “Francesco Guidolin.” Arriving at Udinese marked a decisive turning point: “I came from the French Serie B, I was still half a player. There were a hundred of us at training camp, he didn’t know me, but he saw that I was a fighter. He chose me for that.”

An imprint the Moroccan still carries with him today: “He taught me that a team must not give away even a millimeter. He wanted men who played with a knife between their teeth.” A mentality that Benatia has tried to pass on as an executive, especially during the most difficult moments at Marseille.

Marseille, the turning point as an executive: “Here you can’t joke around”

The return to OM in November 2023 was not easy. “The team was coming off five straight defeats. On the plane, I saw players laughing and joking. I immediately told President Longoria: ‘I can’t stay at a club like this, otherwise it will end badly.’”

That’s when a deep revolution began: “In the summer of 2024, we changed 13-14 players. We needed grit, character.” Benatia points out a broader problem: “Today, the ‘bad’ player is missing. There’s less passion. Me, when we had a day off, I would still go train. Today, no one does that anymore.”

Cristiano Ronaldo and the culture of total work

Among the teammates who impressed him the most is Cristiano Ronaldo. “He goes beyond everything. Once we came back from Bergamo, we arrived at 11 pm. I went home, he put on his tracksuit and went to the gym. He’s number one because he lives only for football.”

An example of extreme professionalism that, according to Benatia, is increasingly rare today.

Roma, Juventus, and that unforgettable Koulibaly goal

The Roma chapter remains an open wound: “I never wanted to leave. I became captain after Totti and De Rossi, I wanted to win there. When Sabatini told me they had to sell me for financial fair play, I lost confidence. I took it very badly.”

At Juventus, however, his relationship with Allegri soured after Bonucci’s return: “I didn’t want to play one game out of four. After a good match against Milan, I ended up on the bench and asked to leave. But with Allegri, Chiellini, and Buffon, I still have a great relationship.”

Unforgettable remains Juventus-Napoli 0-1 in 2018: “I didn’t sleep for three nights because of Koulibaly’s goal. I played one of my best games, then in the 90th minute Albiol blocked me a bit and Kalidou scored an incredible goal. The following week Allegri left me out and it seemed like it was all my fault.”

The “bad” defender that no longer exists today

Benatia proudly claims his way of being on the pitch: “I was a player with heart, but I made myself hated. Higuain told me he hated me when we played against each other. Then we became great friends.”

In today’s Marseille, he sees something of himself in Facundo Medina: “In terms of character, he’s the one who resembles me the most.”

De Zerbi at Marseille: a visionary choice

The choice of Roberto De Zerbi for the OM bench was strongly desired by Benatia: “He’s obsessed with football. After a 5-1 win over Nice, he was unhappy because we could have done better. I’ve only seen that attitude in Guardiola.”

The executive recalls the moment of the call: “When I found out he was available, I called him right away. I told him: ‘Marseille needs people like us.’ That’s how I convinced him.”

Algorithms or instinct? “I look at the person”

On the market, Benatia chooses a balance: “Data helps, but I trust my eye and my feelings. I want players suited to the coach and the context.”

The signing he’s proudest of? “De Zerbi. Among the players, Greenwood, Hojbjerg for his mentality, Medina for his character. And Rabiot, who has given so much to the project.”

Marseille today and the challenge to PSG

Marseille is third in Ligue 1 and has beaten PSG after 14 years: “Not because we were stronger, but because we believed more. They have a huge project, but on the field it’s always eleven against eleven.”

Benatia concludes with a statement that sums up his entire journey: “I came back to Marseille to change things. I didn’t do any calculations. I tell people just one thing: I’m on a mission.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.