- Adrien Rabiot joined Marseille on a two-year deal after leaving Juventus in July
- The French star revealed that Nigerian legend Taye Taiwo was a key motivation in his decision
- Rabiot turned down Premier League offers to return to France and play for Marseille
When popular French player Adrien Rabiot chose to return to his home country and don the iconic white and blue of Ligue 1 side Marseille, it wasn’t just a mere career move, it was a homecoming deeply rooted in childhood memories.
The 29-year-old French midfielder, who left Juventus in July and signed a two-year deal with Marseille, revealed that one of the motivations behind his decision was Nigerian football legend Taye Taiwo.
In his unveiling, Rabiot confessed that his admiration for Taiwo during his youth played a pivotal role in his choice to join the French giants,
“When I was younger, I loved watching Marseille play, it was the era of players like Niang and especially Taye Taiwo. I admired his strength, his presence on the pitch, and his ability to score incredible goals from the left-back position. Watching him and others made me dream of one day wearing the same shirt.”
Rabiot had the attention of Premier League clubs and even Turkish giant Galatasaray, yet the pull of Marseille, most likely motivated by his nostalgic desire of Taiwo’s on-pitch dominance, swayed him to return to Ligue 1.
Taiwo, who was a key figure at Marseille between 2005 and 2011, built his reputation as a defender with an eye for spectacular goals, especially from set-pieces. The Nigerian international's tenure included 270 appearances, 25 goals, and 23 assists, which are remarkable figures for a left-back.
Super Eagles legend Taye Taiwo’s contributions helped Marseille clinch the 2010 Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de la Ligue in 2010 and 2011, and reach two Coupe de France finals. His lethal free kicks and relentless pace earned him a permanent spot in the hearts of Marseille fans and even multiple selections in the Trophées UNFP Team of the Year.
Now, Rabiot, with a wealth of experience from his time at Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, is eager to make his mark at a club rich in such history. At a time when Marseille is looking to rebuild and chase domestic silverware, his addition is seen as not only necessary but crucial to their ambitions.
Taiwo, upon hearing of Rabiot’s signing, expressed his joy and hope for the Frenchman’s success at the club.
“During the night, I saw that Rabiot was arriving at our place! I said to myself, did he make a mistake or what? I didn't understand anything! I hope things will go well for him in Marseille. He's a great player with great talent. We need him to make a difference. We expect a lot from you, my boy!” Taiwo remarked, showing his pride and excitement.
Former Super Eagles coach Peseiro shares why he didn't continue with Nigeria
Previously, TheRadar reported that former Super Eagles coach José Peseiro has finally revealed why he parted ways with Nigeria after leading the team to the 2023 AFCON final.
His decision to step down, despite coming close to winning Africa's most prestigious football tournament, was long concluded even before the AFCON final match in Côte d’Ivoire.
Despite attempts from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Sports Minister, John Enoh, to convince him to stay for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and upcoming AFCON qualifiers, Peseiro felt he had reached his limit.
