After just one season at Marseille and a boxing match with Jonathan Rowe in the dressing room at Rennes, Adrien Rabiot has left OM. It’s a departure that has left its mark and caused regret in Marseille, especially as ‘Le Duc’ is now shining in the AC Milan shirt.
This season, nothing has been spared for Olympique de Marseille. The latest episode in this explosive saga came to an end on Saturday evening with a fiery outburst from Medhi Benatia, who criticised the players’ attitude during the crucial clash against FC Lorient (a 2-0 defeat). Brittany has certainly not been kind to the Olympians this season. It was there that the first turning point of the year occurred, with the infamous brawl between Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot in the changing rooms following the 1-0 defeat to Stade Rennais on 15 August. Neither player has been seen in a Marseille shirt since. For the Englishman, who has joined Bologna, it wasn’t really a surprise. His departure had been on the cards long before that brawl. For the Frenchman, it was a little more surprising.
Rabiot continues to shine in Italy
Having joined Marseille on a free transfer in September 2024 following his departure from Juventus, the former PSG player has thrown himself wholeheartedly into the project. A key player for Roberto De Zerbi, Le Duc finished his first season with 10 goals and 6 assists in 31 appearances across all competitions. A leader both on the pitch and in the dressing room, we imagined he would stay a little longer on the Canebière. In the end, he didn’t even stay for a full year. After just one appearance this season, he left Marseille, who had made a fine signing by bringing him in. But the ‘Rowebiot’ affair changed everything. Whilst RDZ changed his mind and tried to keep him, the board ultimately decided on his departure. For some supporters, this was justified. For others, it was a huge mistake.
His experience, qualities and calibre would have been a real asset in a season where the club is competing in the Champions League. But in the end, the French international returned to Italy, where he was reunited with Massimiliano Allegri at AC Milan. It is a decision that neither the 31-year-old nor the Rossoneri have any regrets about. This season, the midfielder has already racked up six goals and five assists in 27 appearances across all competitions in the Lombardy side’s colours. On Sunday against Hellas Verona (1-0), he shone with a crucial goal in the race for qualification for next season’s Champions League. The Italian press has heaped praise on him, with Corriere dello Sport awarding him a 7 – the highest rating.
Milan are rubbing their hands with glee
“A three-point goal, his sixth of the season. Decisive once again. Alongside Modric, he is the backbone, not only of the midfield, but of the whole team.” In another article, the Italian media outlet added that “Milan beat Verona thanks to another gem from Rabiot, who is in a league of his own.” For its part, La Gazzetta dello Sport also praised the Duke for his performance with a 7.5. “The best. He had to make amends for his poor performance against Udinese. He succeeded with a goal that sealed the victory,” states the publication in the pink paper. Indispensable to the Rossoneri, who are second in Serie A and close to a return to the Champions League, Adrien Rabiot is making a successful comeback in Italy.
That is the view of Michele Tossani, a journalist for Tuttosport. According to him, Olympique de Marseille have lost out big time by letting the French midfielder go. “Adrien Rabiot has been one of the best midfielders in the league this season. He brings his technical ability, his personality, his tactical intelligence and goals too. In a direct style of football like Allegri’s, he is the ideal midfielder. I think Marseille regret his departure. The same goes for Rowe.” In Marseille, there is indeed a sense of regret, as explained by La Provence, which continues to follow the Rabiot situation closely. “The former OM player is still shining on the other side of the Alps. On Sunday, away at Hellas Verona (0-1), the French international helped AC Milan secure the win by scoring the only goal of the match with his left foot just before half-time.”
Marseille haven’t forgotten him
La Provence adds: “This is Adrien Rabiot’s sixth league goal since the start of the season in 24 appearances. It’s enough to put a smile on the faces of AC Milan fans, whilst Marseille supporters – from whom he was unceremoniously shown the door after the opening day of the league season in Rennes – can legitimately feel a sense of regret.” Karim Attab, a journalist for Maritima and an OM specialist, explains to us everything the club has lost by letting the Frenchman slip away: “In terms of leadership and as a dressing-room leader, he was still very much listened to and highly respected. He brought a great deal of calm and composure. He spoke a great deal about high standards. So, of course, we won’t forget 15 August, the match in Rennes, and the problems. But before that, he had been someone whose word carried weight. I remember the interview he gave after the match against Reims, where he said that if there were players who didn’t want to go to the Champions League, they should let those who did want to be on the pitch take their place. So that’s the impact he could have in the dressing room, on top of his connections with the coach (De Zerbi) and Medhi Benatia.”
He continues: “As for the pitch, even if he wasn’t necessarily playing in the position where he’d been trained, he was still capable of scoring plenty of goals. You have to realise that these days, midfielders don’t score for OM anymore. We’ve got Greenwood, Aubameyang, Paixão and Gouiri who score. But the current midfielders don’t score anymore. Rabiot managed to score nine goals last year in Ligue 1. You also have to note his impact on the game, the way he organises things. He was a key link in the chain, and it’s true that when the opposition sees Adrien Rabiot, they know it’s likely to be a bit more difficult. Honestly, I think that if Rabiot had stayed – even though it’s hard to pin it all on one man – OM wouldn’t be performing at this level.” In Marseille, some feel he’s missed because he’s a good player and hasn’t really been replaced. But in the dressing room, it’s not talked about that much. What’s certain is that AC Milan are now benefiting from his qualities.
Man City: major departure confirmed
Another significant chapter is coming to an end at Manchester City. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, John Stones is set to leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires. The 31-year-old English defender, hampered in recent years by several injuries, is reportedly set for a free transfer despite his stated desire to end the season on a high note, with the team still in the running for the Premier League title against Arsenal.
Indeed, Manchester City are expecting him to leave this summer, although no official decision has yet been announced. Having arrived in 2016 from Everton, Stones has left his mark on the Guardiola era with 17 major trophies won, including the Champions League. Like Bernardo Silva, who is also set to leave the club, he is preparing to bring a historic chapter with the Citizens to a close…
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