Mehdi Benatia Reflects on Difficult Beginnings at Marseille and Tense Relationship with José Anigo
AS Roma’s star defender, Mehdi Benatia, has opened up about his early struggles in French football, specifically his time at Olympique de Marseille and his difficult relationship with then-academy head José Anigo.
In an interview with beIN Sports, the Moroccan international, now 27, recalled how Anigo’s actions during his early years at the club left him disillusioned with football:
“At the time, Anigo had put me off football. He had completely sidelined me from one day to the next.”
Benatia’s frustrations were compounded by being left out of significant opportunities, including missing out on a highly publicized youth match between Marseille’s young talents and PSG at the Parc des Princes in 2006—a match that became an iconic moment in the club’s history. Despite his talent, Benatia never made a first-team appearance for OM, and his career seemed uncertain.
After his time at Marseille, Benatia’s journey took him to Tours, Lorient, and finally Clermont, where he began to rebuild his reputation and establish himself as a top defensive talent. Today, playing for AS Roma in Serie A, Benatia is widely regarded as one of the league’s best center-backs, having demonstrated his exceptional skills and leadership on the pitch.
Reflecting on his rise, Benatia’s story is a testament to resilience, as he has turned early adversity into a successful career in Europe’s top leagues.
