Himad Abdelli draws mixed reactions after Marseille pre-season appearance

Himad Abdelli has become the subject of debate among Olympique de Marseille supporters after images from the club’s latest pre-season friendly prompted questions about the Algerian midfielder’s physical condition ahead of the new campaign.

The discussion followed Marseille’s 3-0 victory over Yamoussoukro FC in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where photographs of Abdelli challenging an opponent for possession circulated on social media.

Some supporters suggested the midfielder appeared to be carrying extra weight, leading to criticism of his fitness during pre-season preparations.

The reaction comes as Abdelli looks to re-establish himself at Marseille after a challenging spell under Habib Beye.

The Algeria international is hoping to make a stronger impression under new coach Bruno Génésio as the club prepares for the start of the competitive season.

According to the available information, Abdelli has spent the pre-season period working to improve his physical condition, with particular emphasis on losing weight ahead of the new campaign.

Despite those efforts, the images from Friday’s friendly generated widespread discussion among supporters, many of whom questioned whether he had reached the level of fitness expected of a professional footballer.

The criticism focused largely on a photograph in which Abdelli was involved in a physical challenge with an opposing player.

Some fans argued that his appearance suggested he was not yet in peak condition, and the image quickly became a talking point following the match.

Despite the attention surrounding the photographs, the midfielder appeared encouraged by his performance on the pitch.

He reportedly delivered a solid first-half display during the friendly and expressed confidence that his preparations were progressing in the right direction.

“My initial feelings? They’re coming back and are better than last year because I don’t think I showed what I was capable of. I’m preparing well for a good season,” said the former Angers player.

The midfielder’s comments reflect his determination to put last season behind him and make a greater impact in the months ahead.

While questions have been raised about his current physical condition, the available information indicates that work is continuing behind the scenes to improve his fitness before Marseille begin their official fixtures.

With pre-season designed to build match sharpness and fitness levels, Abdelli will be hoping that his performances on the field become the main focus as preparations continue.

For now, however, the reaction to the images from Abidjan has ensured that his progress remains under close scrutiny as Marseille move closer to the start of the new season.