Adrien Rabiot reveals former Nigeria international role in his Marseille move

By Saheed Afolabi

French midfielder Adrien Rabiot has revealed that his move to Olympique Marseille was significantly influenced by Nigerian legend Taiye Taiwo.

After finding himself lower in the pecking order at Juventus, Rabiot joined the former Ligue 1 champions and expressed his long-standing admiration for the club.

At his recent unveiling, Rabiot shared his childhood memories of being a Marseille fan, particularly during the era of players like Mamadou Niang and Taiwo.

He hailed Taiwo’s unique qualities, stating, “I admired his strength, his presence on the pitch, and his ability to score incredible goals from the left-back position. Watching him made me dream of one day wearing the same shirt.”

Taiwo had a successful six-year spell with Marseille, winning the Ligue 1 title, the Trophée des Champions, and two Coupe de la Ligue titles, solidifying his legacy at the club.

Rabiot’s admiration for him underscores the impact that legendary players can have on the aspirations of young talents.