Charles Kaboré will step back onto the pitch at the Vélodrome on May 2 as part of Olympique de Marseille’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
The former Burkina Faso international, who announced his retirement in 2023, is set to participate in a special legends match commemorating the club’s rich history.
Kaboré, who spent six seasons with Marseille between 2007 and 2013, will reunite with a number of former teammates and club icons including Didier Drogba, Mamadou Niang and Samir Nasri.
His inclusion in the event underlines the lasting impression he left during his tenure with the Ligue 1 side.
Between his arrival from Libourne and his eventual move to Kuban Krasnodar in Russia, Kaboré made over 200 appearances for Marseille, becoming a dependable presence in midfield and playing a key role in the club’s 2009–10 Ligue 1 title-winning campaign under Didier Deschamps.
Known for his composure on the ball, tireless work rate and tactical discipline, he formed part of the spine of a side that also lifted three Coupe de la Ligue titles during his spell.
Now serving as a sport ambassador for Burkina Faso, Kaboré has turned his focus to developing the next generation of athletes in his homeland.
His post-retirement role follows an international career that saw him earn over 100 caps and captain the Stallions in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including a runners-up finish in 2013.
The match at the Vélodrome promises to be a festive and emotional reunion not only for the players but also for the Marseille faithful, many of whom still hold Kaboré in high regard.
His return is a symbolic reminder of the club’s successful late 2000s and early 2010s era, a time that brought both domestic silverware and Champions League campaigns that reignited Marseille’s European ambitions.
Kaboré’s inclusion alongside club legends such as Drogba and Nasri reflects his own contribution to OM’s history.
While perhaps less flashy than some of his contemporaries, his consistency and loyalty endeared him to fans and earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike.
May 2 will not only serve as a celebration of Marseille’s 125 years but also as a moment to honour players like Kaboré who helped shape the club’s identity on and off the pitch.
For Kaboré himself, it marks a brief but meaningful return to the stadium where he lived some of the most defining moments of his career.
