Olympique Marseille of France latest signing, Adrien Rabiot, has revealed the key figures that sparked his passion for the club and ultimately influenced his decision to join – this includes a veteran Nigerian player.
The French midfielder, who recently signed with Olympique Marseille under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, has opened up about his admiration for Super Eagles legend Taye Taiwo.
Rabiot, who had been without a club since leaving Juventus in July, was a hot target for several clubs during the summer transfer window, including Manchester United and Galatasaray. However, it was his childhood connection to Olympique Marseille that led him back to Ligue 1, where he hopes to revive his career after parting ways with Juve.
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In a recent interview after his unveiling, Rabiot explained how watching players like Taye Taiwo and Mamadou Niang at Marseille left a lasting impact on him. “When I was younger, I loved watching Marseille,” Rabiot said. “It was around the time when players like Taye Taiwo and Niang were there. Taiwo, especially, was a powerful presence at left-back, and his performances really made me fall in love with the club.”
Rabiot’s admiration for Taiwo goes beyond just his playing style. The Nigerian defender, known for his long-range shots and solid defensive displays, was part of the Marseille team that won the Ligue 1 title in 2010. Rabiot now hopes to emulate Taiwo’s success and bring more silverware to the club under De Zerbi’s management.
