Mason Greenwood’s Controversial Football Journey: From Pariah to Hero

Mason Greenwood continues to face social ostracism in his home country following a notorious legal case that began four years ago. His last appearance for England was in September 2020, during which he earned his sole cap against Iceland. Following that match, he, along with Phil Foden, was removed from the squad for violating Covid-19 protocols.

In January 2022, audio and visuals of an alleged assault involving Greenwood surfaced online, resulting in his arrest and subsequent suspension from Manchester United. Despite denying the allegations, Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behavior, and actual bodily harm when he was just 20 years old. However, in February 2023, these charges were dropped due to the “withdrawal of key witnesses,” as stated by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Throughout the legal proceedings, Greenwood remained suspended from United. However, he was subsequently loaned to Getafe for the 2023-24 season after a contentious internal review led to a decision against retaining him at Old Trafford. He aimed to rebuild his career in Spain, and with Manchester United determined to sell, he completed a controversial £27 million ($35 million) transfer to Marseille in the summer of 2024.

Despite some fans vocally opposing his signing, Greenwood was embraced as a hero by the majority of supporters in southern France. His troubled past was quickly overshadowed by the perception that Marseille had secured an exceptional talent for a bargain fee, given their lack of significant success over the previous decade.

In his debut season, Greenwood delivered an impressive performance for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, matching Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé’s goal tally to finish joint-top scorer in Ligue 1, which helped Marseille return to the Champions League.

This season, Greenwood appears to have elevated his game further, boasting a remarkable ratio of one goal involvement per match from the right flank of Marseille’s attack. He recently scored in a commanding victory over Angers while continuing to impress in the Champions League.

“Today, the debate in Marseille isn’t about his talent but rather the last time OM had such an impactful player,” noted Fabrice Lamperti, a football journalist based in Marseille. “Greenwood is brilliant; he has 41 goals since arriving and is evolving his game to become a better team player while still showing flashes of individual brilliance.”

Despite revitalizing his football career in France, Greenwood remains sidelined from international competitions with England under both former coach Gareth Southgate and current coach Thomas Tuchel. Reports suggest he was considering switching allegiance to Jamaica; however, he has hesitated to finalize the necessary paperwork, opting instead to concentrate on club football.

In September, former Reggae Boyz coach Steve McClaren stated, “We expected him to join the camp, but after discussions with his family, he has decided not to commit to any international team at this time. It’s disappointing, but we will remain in contact.”

As of November, there are indications that Greenwood still hopes for a return to the England squad, which may explain his delay in making a commitment to Jamaica. This hope seems to be bolstered by social media discussions that question his exclusion from the England team, with some accounts suggesting he is in line for a recall, overlooking the serious nature of his past legal issues.

Even the official Ligue 1 social media account showcases Greenwood’s performances, while prominent transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano frequently updates followers on his statistics.

In a recent press conference, De Zerbi referred to Greenwood as a Ballon d’Or-level talent, further fueling the narrative surrounding him. Despite the stigma attached to his past in England, Greenwood has been receiving more favorable media coverage in France, with little mention of the discontinued legal case during his introductory press conference at Marseille.

There is growing discussion within the English media about Greenwood’s future, with former player Troy Deeney arguing that football should allow for redemption after one’s mistakes. He suggested that if Greenwood wishes to return to the England setup, he must publicly address his past and demonstrate his trustworthiness.

The official stance from the England national team is that he is not currently being considered for selection. However, Tuchel has refrained from definitively ruling out Greenwood’s potential recall. The fact that he still has a profile on the England Football website may imply that the door is not completely closed.

Greenwood’s reluctance to commit to Jamaica indicates he may still harbor hopes for a future with England, though a recall seems improbable as Tuchel prepares for the World Cup this summer. The England squad is not in need of drastic changes, given their depth of attacking options.

As Greenwood prepares for a high-profile match against Liverpool, he has the opportunity to showcase his skills on a global stage, which may reignite the conversation surrounding his potential return to international football. However, the reality remains that England is not likely to pursue such a controversial decision, given their ongoing success and the complexities surrounding Greenwood’s past.