Medhi Benatia, now serving as the director of football at Marseille, has opened up about a pivotal moment in his career when he nearly signed for Paris Saint-Germain a decade ago — a move that could have drastically changed his professional path.
The former Moroccan international, who was trained at Marseille before embarking on an illustrious playing career across Europe, shared the revelation in a recent interview with Canal+. Reflec
ting on his journey, Benatia disclosed that PSG had expressed serious interest in acquiring his services during his time at Udinese, but circumstances ultimately led him down a different path.
“The PSG challenge was interesting,” Benatia admitted, explaining that discussions had taken place between his agent and the Italian club regarding a potential move to Paris.
“It was something I considered seriously, but in the end, staying in Italy felt like the right decision for my career at that time.”
At the time of PSG’s interest, Benatia had already established himself as one of Serie A’s standout defenders, attracting attention from several top European clubs.
Despite the appeal of joining one of France’s biggest teams, the Moroccan centre-back opted to remain in Italy, where he eventually signed with Roma.
His performances there further cemented his reputation, leading to high-profile transfers to Bayern Munich and later Juventus, where he won multiple league titles.
Benatia’s decision to bypass PSG in favor of continuing his journey in Italy highlights how a single career move can reshape a player’s trajectory.
While PSG has since solidified itself as a European powerhouse, Benatia’s time with clubs like Bayern and Juventus allowed him to compete at the highest levels of European football, including in the UEFA Champions League.
Now back at Marseille in an executive role, Benatia reflected on how that missed opportunity with PSG fits into the broader narrative of his career.
“Looking back, every choice I made helped shape my path. Of course, I wonder how things could have been different at PSG, but I have no regrets,” he said.
The revelation also reignites the debate about the unpredictable nature of football careers and how even the most promising deals can fall through due to timing, negotiations, or personal decisions.
For Benatia, the road not taken with PSG didn’t hinder his rise in European football but added another layer to a career defined by success and resilience.
Today, as Marseille’s director of football, Benatia channels his wealth of experience into shaping the club’s future — a full-circle moment that brings him back to where his professional journey began.
But the thought of what might have been had he chosen Paris remains an intriguing “what if” in the story of his career.
