Just one game into the Ligue 1 season, Olympique Marseille has already plunged into a psychological drama so surreal it surpasses even their own reputation as Europe`s most chaotic club.
Just ten days ago, Les Olympiens secured a promising 3-1 friendly victory against Aston Villa at the Stade Vélodrome, fostering optimism and adulation among their home supporters. Adrien Rabiot spoke of “a great season ahead” and team unity, while Jonathan Rowe was presented as a key player for the upcoming campaign during pre-season. However, within just four days, this promising outlook dramatically unraveled, with both players now seemingly pushed towards the exit.
For most clubs, this would signify a shocking early implosion. Yet, a casual conversation with a Marseille supporter near Vieux Port simply elicits a shrug of resignation: “That`s just OM.”
What started as a tense exchange in the locker room has escalated into another episode of psychodrama, dominating French headlines this week. Marseille`s 2025–26 season opener could hardly have concluded more frustratingly. Despite controlling possession at Roazhon Park, OM suffered a 1-0 defeat due to Ludovic Blas`s injury-time strike.
Frustrations immediately boiled over after the final whistle. Journalists waiting in Roazhon Park`s mixed zone heard a commotion from the away dressing room, and Roberto De Zerbi`s translator`s voice resonated through the walls:
“Others beat us on the pitch, and we come in here and fight among ourselves. Do you know what that means? That we have small balls. In Marseille, we need to have big ones.”
Reports of a Scuffle Between Rowe and Rabiot
This anger quickly escalated into something more explosive in the press. By Saturday, it was revealed that a verbal altercation had occurred between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe.
La Provence later reported that Rowe allegedly slapped the French international after taking offense to comments about his performance. The situation reportedly devolved into physical altercations before De Zerbi, his staff, and sporting director Medhi Benatia intervened to restore order. During this, OM youth player Darryl Bakola reportedly fainted before the internal dispute resumed.
With journalists outside the mixed zone overhearing raised voices, the fallout became impossible to contain. Within 48 hours, both players were excluded from first-team training.
By Monday, the crisis had deepened. According to RTL, De Zerbi privately informed the club`s hierarchy that he no longer wanted Rabiot in his plans. The coach cited a “lack of commitment” compared to last season, when the 30-year-old had been one of OM`s standout performers after arriving from Juventus.
Rabiot`s camp dismissed this reasoning. His mother and agent, Véronique Rabiot, stated she was informed of his suspension on August 18th and criticized the lack of communication from OM sporting director Mehdi Benatia. By Tuesday morning, the club had made its stance clear to Rabiot`s lawyer: De Zerbi, Benatia, and club president Pablo Longoria all desired his departure.
That evening, Marseille released a press communiqué, stating that the decision to place both players on the club`s transfer list was made “due to unacceptable behavior in the dressing room after the match against Stade Rennais FC, in consultation with the coaching staff and in accordance with the club’s internal code of conduct.”
The transfer market mechanisms are now actively engaged, with Serie A clubs AC Milan and Juventus both monitoring Rabiot`s situation. Meanwhile, concrete interest in Rowe has emerged from another Italian side, Bologna, as well as Premier League club Sunderland.
Can Marseille Endure Its Own Drama?
Les Phocéens will now face newly-promoted Paris FC this Saturday at the Stade Vélodrome. De Zerbi`s squad on the pitch is only approaching their second game, but the surrounding circumstances will undoubtedly dominate the build-up to this weekend`s fixture.
The sense of déjà vu in Marseille is overwhelming. One match, one scuffle, one communiqué later, and the season already feels derailed. For most clubs, this would be a shocking early implosion – but OM is not like most clubs. The capacity for self-implosion manifested in waves last season, but this time, the cycle is already becoming wearisomely familiar: optimism, turbulence, rupture, reset.