Marseille president Pablo Longoria breaks silence on Mason Greenwood signing: ‘I called my mother’ | OneFootball

Pablo Longoria has publicly addressed Olympique de Marseille’s decision to sign Mason Greenwood for the first time, offering insight into one of the most controversial transfers in the club’s recent history.

On the pitch, Greenwood’s impact has been undeniable. The forward is currently Ligue 1’s top scorer with 12 goals in 19 matches, validating Marseille’s reported €30m investment in strictly sporting terms. Off the pitch, however, the debate surrounding his presence has never fully dissipated.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Longoria described the signing as a calculated decision rooted in due diligence and sporting logic. “For me, it is right to talk about it openly. Creating taboos is never positive,” said the OM president. “For us, it was a significant market opportunity on a sporting level, and we analysed very carefully what had really happened.”Longoria revealed that the process also involved a personal dimension, explaining that he sought advice from his mother before proceeding. “With all that information, I called my mother and asked her: ‘What would you do in my place?’ And she told me: ‘Do it.’”“If you think you are making the right decision, with the necessary information, and also from a human point of view, then you accept the consequences,” Longoria said, adding that Greenwood had behaved ‘well’ since arriving in Marseille.

While Greenwood remains under contract until 2029, Longoria struck a cautious note when discussing the future, referencing both financial realities and broader alignment between player and club.

“He is performing, the numbers prove it, the talent is there,” Longoria said. “But we also need to analyse whether we share the same vision, and also take into account the economic context of French football.”GFFN | George Boxall