Rabiot bitter about Marseille ‘betrayal,’ but happy to join AC Milan | OneFootball

Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot insists he ‘doesn’t understand’ why he was ousted by Olympique Marseille, seeing it as a ‘betrayal,’ but is now proud to be back in Serie A.

The France international was sold this summer after he was frozen out of the squad due to a locker room brawl with then teammate Jonathan Rowe.

Curiously, both players ended up in Italy, as Rowe moved to Bologna, while Rabiot came to San Siro with the Rossoneri.

He has now broken his silence on the matter with two interviews, speaking to Le Figaro newspaper and RTL radio.

Rabiot frustrated by Marseille exit

epa11726450 France’s midfielder Adrien Rabiot (C) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italy and France at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 17 November 2024. EPA-EFE/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

“I didn’t understand it, so I can’t explain what happened,” said Rabiot when pressed on why he was pushed out at Marseille.

“What’s done is done. The important thing is that my teammates know what really happened, they know the truth. The fans too have always been behind me, I received many messages from the OM supporters.”

Olympique Marseille accused the midfielder of multiple violations of their code of conduct, but he insists that he had nothing to apologise for.

“I don’t want to pour more fuel on the fire. What matters is that people don’t lie about me, or say that I am the kind of person that I am not. I’ve always been committed, but respectful.

“I’ve never been an ultra-violent person, I don’t want people to use such words about me. I was extremely happy in Marseille, I had a lot of fun and I played a big part in the club’s return to the Champions League. It is just the end that was bitter.

“It was above all a misunderstanding. A form of betrayal, in a way. I’m happy to have lived that experience, but now I am happy to be at Milan.”

TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 05: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC competes with Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Rabiot returns to Serie A after his five years with Juventus, and continues his tendency to play only at the biggest clubs.

“I am very proud to have represented both the big sides in France, PSG and Marseille, and in Italy, with Juventus and Milan.”

The 30-year-old is back in the France squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan on October 10 and Iceland on October 13.