🔎 2025-26 season: a golden chance for OM to pull ahead?

This Friday evening, OM will kick off their Ligue 1 season on the Rennes pitch. After a tumultuous first year under Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille is definitively looking to secure a spot on the podium and make participation in the Champions League a habit.

The Transfer Market 💰

As usual under the Pablo Longoria era, OM has been very active in the transfer market. The Olympian club has notably recorded the arrivals of Facundo Medina, CJ Egan Riley, Angel Gomes, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Igor Paixao, and Timothy Weah.

Marseille also managed to streamline with the notable sale of Luis Henrique to Inter Milan in a transfer estimated at 25 million euros. Quentin Merlin and Valentin Rongier also left the club to join... Rennes.

The Pre-season ☀️

Showing a progressive rise in power and already full of certainties in their game, OM completed a serious preparation with three wins and three draws.

The Olympians notably secured a very nice victory against Aston Villa during a final electrifying match at the Vélodrome before resuming Ligue 1. Mason Greenwood notably shone during this pre-season with six goals scored!

The Objective 💪

After reconnecting with the Champions League, OM embarks on a season with a busy schedule.

While a Champions League campaign can make Olympian supporters dream, Marseille must first take advantage of a Ligue 1 that seems weakened on paper, to definitively establish itself as the undisputed runner-up to PSG in the championship... or even challenge them?

Finally, with its current squad, OM can also dream of a Coupe de France victory. The Olympians have been chasing a trophy since 2011, and winning a title this year would further strengthen the project led by Pablo Longoria, Medhi Benatia, and Roberto De Zerbi.

The 3️⃣ Leaders

Vice-captain of OM and undoubtedly the most consistent player of OM, Adrien Rabiot will bring all his experience to an Olympique de Marseille that is returning to European heights.

On his side, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is making his return to the Vélodrome after leading OM two years ago, will also have a significant role to play in the locker room and on the field.

The longest-serving member of the Olympian group since Valentin Rongier's departure, Leonardo Balerdi is now definitively established as the leader of the defensive sector. He, like OM, still needs to reach a new level this year.

The Young Talent to Watch 💎

Having shown some flashes last season, including a spectacular goal against Lyon, Jonathan Rowe seems to have completed his adaptation period in Marseille.

At 22, the Englishman now needs to deliver strong performances every weekend, especially since the Olympian management has brought him competition with the highly anticipated Igor Paixao.

Fortunately for the former Norwich player, the Brazilian is expected to miss the first few weeks of the championship due to an injury, giving him the opportunity to get ahead of his rival.

The Typical Line-up 🔥

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 MIGUEL MEDINA - AFP or Licensors