Rabiot’s Transfer to OM Sparks Debate Over His True Allegiances

In a surprising turn of events, Adrien Rabiot has officially joined Olympique de Marseille (OM), despite his roots at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). This move has ignited debates among fans, particularly those loyal to PSG, as former teammates of Rabiot have surfaced to share anecdotes suggesting his longstanding admiration for the Marseille club. However, journalist Fabrice Lamperti from La Provence has disputed these claims, asserting that the narrative surrounding Rabiot’s supposed allegiance to OM is misleading.

Adrien Rabiot’s Controversial Transfer

This week, the football world was abuzz with the announcement of Adrien Rabiot’s transfer to OM. His departure from PSG has left many Parisian supporters feeling betrayed, yet some of his former teammates might not have been surprised by this move. Rabiot, who began his youth career at Créteil, reportedly had his sights set on the Marseille formation long before his time at PSG. Former colleagues recounted their experiences in a 2019 interview with So Foot, with Abdelhak Benaniba stating, “During the Clásicos, he was clearly in favor of OM.” These revelations were highlighted this week as a means to sway skeptical Marseille fans. However, Lamperti argues that the narrative of Rabiot’s allegiance to OM is simply untrue.

A False Narrative?

Lamperti expressed skepticism about the claims surrounding Rabiot’s past support for OM, stating, “There has been a kind of storytelling that OM has tried to spread, claiming he has always been a supporter of OM, that he loved OM more than PSG. We know very well that this is false.” In a 2016 interview before the Coupe de France final between OM and PSG, Rabiot made unequivocal statements about his feelings toward the Marseille club, saying, “OM is the club we learned not to like since childhood.” Although he made these comments at the age of 21, times have changed, and Lamperti suggests Rabiot has since softened his stance.

A Shocking Change of Heart

Reflecting on his early career, Rabiot had previously declared, “For me, joining OM was not conceivable,” during an interview with La Provence in 2016. He mentioned discussions with his family, expressing disbelief at the idea of playing for Marseille, describing it as “inconceivable.” Fast forward eight years, and Rabiot’s decision to sign with OM signifies a dramatic shift in his career and perspective.