‘At Marseille, it’s hard to project yourself’ – Medhi Benatia on future after Trophée des Champions defeat | OneFootball

Speaking after Olympique de Marseille’s Trophée des Champions loss to Paris Saint-Germain, Medhi Benatia was evasive over his future at the club. Following Thursday’s dramatic defeat on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in Kuwait (2-2, 4-1 on penalties), Olympique de Marseille director of football Medhi Benatia struck a frustrated and introspective tone when addressing media in the mixed zone, transcirbed by L’Équipe.

Visibly affected by what he described as a “cruel” outcome for Marseille, Benatia nonetheless used the post-match mixed zone to reflect on the wider instability that surrounds decision-makers at the club. Asked about his own future, the former defender admitted that Marseille’s environment makes long-term planning difficult.

“At Marseille, it’s hard to project yourself,” Benatia said. “After the defeat against Nantes, suddenly everything was to be thrown away. Personally, I don’t project myself at all. I just look at tomorrow.”

Benatia also appeared to allude to potential changes within the club’s hierarchy, adding: “Before long, you’ll see that there will be other people in our place. And they too will need time to work.”

The 38-year-old highlighted the constant pressure that defines life at the Vélodrome, stressing that criticism is ever-present regardless of performances. “At Marseille, you never have time. It’s always adversity, criticism — that’s the truth,” he continued.

Rather than focusing on titles or personal longevity, Benatia insisted that continuity and effort are his immediate priorities. “If the team can reproduce the same performance, the same desire, the same continuity, then for me, that will already be a victory.”

A former player for Bayern Munich and Juventus, Benatia joined Marseille’s sporting structure in 2024 and has been closely involved in squad-building decisions. Marseille return to action on Tuesday away to Bayeux in the Coupe de France round of 32.GFFN | George Boxall