Morocco’s Mehdi Benatia joins Canal+ as football consultant

Former Morocco international Mehdi Benatia has joined French broadcaster Canal+ as a football consultant, two months after leaving his role as football director at Olympique de Marseille.

The 39-year-old is taking up a television role for the first time after ending his 18-month spell in Marseille’s sporting department at the end of June.

Benatia will bring his experience from a playing career that included spells with Udinese, Roma, Bayern Munich and Juventus, as well as 66 appearances for Morocco.

Benatia leaves Marseille for television role

Benatia spent a season and a half working primarily alongside Marseille president Pablo Longoria.

During his time at the club, Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 in the 2024-25 season before dropping to fifth the following campaign.

His responsibilities increased after Longoria was removed from his sporting role in February, but Benatia eventually departed several months later.

Grégory Lorenzi subsequently succeeded him as Marseille’s football director.

Benatia joins growing Canal+ team

The former defender becomes the latest high-profile football figure to join Canal+’s growing team of consultants.

Former Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has also joined the broadcaster after leaving his position with the national team.

The 50-year-old, who managed Morocco from 2022 to 2026, will feature on Canal+ during European competition nights and Premier League matchdays.

Former France international Inès Jaurena has also joined the broadcaster, alongside established consultants including Laure Boulleau, Samir Nasri, Olivier Dacourt, David Ginola, Aline Riera, Sidney Govou, Christophe Jallet and Jessica Houara.

Benatia’s move marks a new chapter in his post-playing career, with the former Morocco captain now set to share his football expertise from the television studio.