Chancel Mbemba’s time at Olympique de Marseille has officially come to an end, as his contract expired on Wednesday, May 7.
The Congolese international is now free to sign with any club of his choosing, bringing closure to a season-long standoff with the Ligue 1 side.
The defender’s exit concludes a saga that began with a failed transfer to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Shabab.
Despite a significant offer to buy out the final year of Mbemba’s contract, tensions reportedly emerged over how the funds from the deal would be distributed.
The dispute drove a wedge between the player and the club’s leadership, setting the stage for a bitter conflict.
Following the collapse of the transfer, the 30-year-old was dropped from the first-team squad and faced disciplinary sanctions.
Marseille suspended Mbemba, docked a portion of his salary, and instructed him to train with the reserves — a demand he refused. Further strain came when the club deemed his remarks toward the youth team manager inappropriate.
There was even internal discussion about terminating his contract, though financial and reputational risks prevented the club from pursuing that course of action.
As the standoff persisted, the French Professional League intervened, citing its regulations that mandate clubs to reintegrate players still under contract by the end of August. Marseille complied by reinstating him in training, but Mbemba never returned to first-team action.
Despite the turmoil at club level, Mbemba remained active internationally. He committed himself to DR Congo’s qualifying campaign for the upcoming World Cup, maintaining his fitness and form while avoiding further conflict with Marseille.
Throughout the ordeal, Mbemba reportedly turned down multiple compromise offers from the club and opted to run down his contract.
With his departure now formalised, he is expected to attract interest from several clubs across Europe and the Middle East, although he has not yet announced his next destination.
The breakdown in relations with Marseille has puzzled many observers, especially given Mbemba’s importance to the squad in previous seasons.
A reliable figure in central defence, his contributions had once made him a fan favourite. But by the end of his tenure, the rift with management had grown too wide to bridge.
Mbemba’s exit marks the close of a turbulent chapter in his professional career — one that included not only disciplinary measures and legal scrutiny but also the unwavering stance of a player unwilling to compromise his position.
As the summer transfer window approaches, the Congolese defender now has the freedom to choose his next step.
Whether he returns to Belgium, explores a move to the Gulf region, or stays in Europe, his next decision will be one of the more closely followed stories of the off-season.
