PROFILE | Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg emerges as Marseille’s leader | OneFootball

“He’s a coach on the field… reminiscent of Thiago Motta,” former Marseille midfielder Benoît Cheyrou noted earlier this season, speaking about midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. Roberto De Zerbi is of the same opinion, entrusting the Denmark international with the captain’s armband regularly in the absence of Leonardo Balerdi. They both haven’t reached those conclusions lightly. 

In a Marseille side that has oscillated between chaos and control in 2025, Højbjerg has become the fixed point, the player around whom everything settles. Højbjerg’s impact begins with volume. He has reached 1167 touches, the highest number in the OM squad. He also leads his side for successful passes (953) while maintaining a 91.8% completion rate in the last year, placing him in the 97th percentile among midfielders across Europe’s top competitions. When he plays, Marseille do not simply circulate through him; they advance because of him.

In OM’s latest win over Monaco before the Christmas break, the Dane provided the assist for Mason Greenwood’s first-time finish after some fine build-up play by Les Olympiens. True, Højbjerg can do the dirty work, but his passing play in possession has been underrated during his time in Ligue 1 so far in the last year and a half. 

Balerdi demoted, Hojbjerg promoted

As a leader, the Dane has had to step up at some important moments, including in front of the press following the dressing room brawl, which saw Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe depart the club at the end of last summer’s transfer window. “I strongly believe in commitment, but it is also true that with experience, you have to know the right moments to speak up,” said Højbjerg in the press conference following the events at Roahzon Park. Deflective? Certainly, but the Dane is trusted to represent the club during difficult moments. 

It is a responsibility that feels less assumed than inherited. Højbjerg does not lead through theatrics or volume, but through positioning, availability and clarity of instruction. His constant demand for the ball, his willingness to reset tempo and his understanding of space have made him indispensable in a side still searching for midfield balance. 

With Balerdi’s role as captain somewhat pulled into question following two matches on the bench and mild criticism pointed out by De Zerbi, Højbjerg could be ready and willing to take over the mantle and that responsibility in 2026. In a club where leadership is often loud and fleeting, the Dane’s influence has been measured and durable.

GFFN | George Boxall