Marseille’s Off-Field Chaos and Rabiot’s Successful Move to Milan

Marseille’s season commenced amidst significant turmoil, as the chaos off the field quickly overshadowed their opening Ligue 1 defeat against Rennes. The match became secondary following a violent incident between Rabiot and his former teammate Rowe, necessitating security intervention as tensions escalated. The situation took a serious turn when 17-year-old Darryl Bakola, who was caught in the altercation, was rendered unconscious.

In the wake of the incident, head coach Roberto De Zerbi announced the suspension of both Rabiot and Rowe, placing them on the transfer list as part of the club’s disciplinary measures. Club president Pablo Longoria condemned the event, labeling it “completely unheard of in the world of football.” Nevertheless, in a surprising twist, De Zerbi later hinted that Rabiot might still have a future with the club.

However, Rabiot’s fate was effectively sealed when he became embroiled in the intense confrontation with Rowe. As a result, Marseille transferred him to AC Milan for a nominal fee, leading to positive outcomes for both the club and the French international since their separation.

Rabiot’s transition to Milan was logical from multiple perspectives. Firstly, he was returning to Serie A, a league he had competed in from 2019 to 2024 before moving to Stade Velodrome. Moreover, he shares a strong personal and professional rapport with head coach Allegri, who previously managed him in Turin.

“He’s a winner, and I admire his personality, coaching style, passion for football, and ambition,” Rabiot expressed to La Gazzetta dello Sport while discussing the Italian manager. “He always gives his all, and I resonate with his way of thinking. Off the pitch, he maintains a positive demeanor, frequently sharing jokes and keeping us calm.”

The 30-year-old also revealed that he had initially chosen to join Juventus in 2019 due to Allegri’s position as head coach at that time, only to find him replaced by Maurizio Sarri later that summer. “I met him months before the season ended and was immediately drawn to him,” he recounted. “However, when I arrived in Turin, he was no longer present. Upon his return in 2021, we developed a strong relationship both on and off the pitch.”

He further disclosed that Milan had shown interest in signing him as a free agent in 2024. “Milan approached me last year when I was a free agent, and we discussed my potential move,” Rabiot noted. “Would the team have fared better than finishing eighth with me? I can’t say, but considering our current form, I believe I joined Milanello at the perfect moment.”

“The Rossoneri had also sought my services in July while I was still at Marseille, but it was challenging for me to leave at that time. After the incident in the dressing room, other Italian clubs reached out, yet I was clear about my intentions. Allegri told me: ‘Let’s see what happens…’ and indeed, something remarkable occurred. I’m unsure how he does it, but he seems to have an uncanny ability to foresee the future (laughs).”

Currently, Milan finds themselves in a strong position after 12 rounds of Serie A, emerging as early contenders for Napoli’s Scudetto title. However, Rabiot remains cautious despite the club’s recent successes, including a derby victory over Inter.

“Yes,” he confirmed when questioned if it was premature to discuss the league title. “There’s no point in fixating on the Scudetto; we are focused on winning every match and achieving our set goals. As the weeks progress, it becomes evident that our squad possesses the necessary quality and mentality. Provided we can avoid injuries, we hope to be in contention come February-March.”

He acknowledged that the upcoming eight months will be pivotal for him. “I have a significant year ahead, where I have the potential to win titles with both Milan and France. I aspire to achieve that and reach the World Cup final.”

Allegri’s squad remains unbeaten in the Italian top-flight since their initial 2-1 defeat to Cremonese on the opening day. Since then, they have secured seven victories and four draws, accumulating 25 points and positioning themselves second in the Serie A standings. They are set to face Lazio at the San Siro on Saturday.