Marseille's players celebrate their team's third goal during the French L1 football match between Toulouse FC and Olympique Marseille (OM) at The TFC Stadium in Toulouse, south-western France on August 31, 2024. (Photo by Matthieu RONDEL / AFP)
Greenwood joined Marseille last month from Old Trafford, where his career began with much promise before he was suspended in January 2022 following allegations of attempted rape and sexual assault.
The charges were dropped by prosecutors in February 2023, and he went on to spend last season in Spain with Getafe.
Greenwood's Impact on Marseille
Greenwood's impact on Marseille has been immediate and impressive. He has scored five goals in his first three Ligue 1 matches, a remarkable feat for any player, let alone one who has been out of the spotlight for so long. His pace, power, and clinical finishing have made him a nightmare for defenders, and he has already become a key player for Marseille.
A Controversial Move
Greenwood's move to Marseille was a controversial one, given his past. Some fans were unhappy with the club's decision to sign him, and there were protests outside the Stade Vélodrome before his debut. However, Greenwood has been welcomed by the club and his teammates, and he has shown that he is determined to make a success of his time at Marseille.
Toulouse's Challenge
Toulouse’s challenge was further complicated by the red card shown to forward Frank Magri in the 27th minute for a foul on Geoffrey Kondogbia. Brazilian forward Luis Henrique provided the assists for both of Greenwood’s goals and thought he had scored himself seven minutes into the second half. However, Marseille’s third goal was later credited as an own goal by Charlie Cresswell.
Toulouse found some consolation just before the end when Gabon striker Shavy Babicka ran onto a through ball from Djibril Sidibe, sidestepped Geronimo Rulli, and slotted the ball into the empty net. “We had a good first half, scoring two goals,” Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi told DAZN after the match. “It gave us an advantage to have an extra player, and we relied on our strength in one-on-ones, particularly Greenwood, to score the brace. We still need to improve the speed and mentality of this team. We shouldn’t have conceded the goal; we should have won 3-0.”
Marseille's Winning Streak
De Zerbi’s side now top the table with seven points, level with Nantes, who won 3-1 away at Montpellier. Matthis Abline put Nantes ahead after 24 minutes before Akor Adams equalised on the half-hour. A Moses Simon penalty in added time at the end of the first half restored the visitors’ lead before Mostafa Mohamed secured the three points with a third goal five minutes from time. “Seven points out of nine, that’s brilliant. We are super happy,” said a delighted Nantes coach Antoine Kombouaré. Brest secured their first win of the season with a 4-0 thrashing of newly-promoted Saint-Étienne. Mahdi Camara and Romain Del Castillo, from the penalty spot, put Brest two up at half-time, and they cruised to a comfortable win with further goals in the second half from Ludovic Ajorque and another penalty by Kenny Lala.
A New Chapter for Greenwood
Greenwood's move to Marseille represents a new chapter in his career. He is now playing for a club with a rich history and ambitious goals. Marseille are a team on the rise, and Greenwood could be the player who helps them achieve their potential. He has a lot to prove, but he has shown that he has the talent and the desire to succeed. Greenwood is on track to lead Marseille to greatness. This could be the beginning of a very successful era for Greenwood, both on and off the pitch. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the coming months, and whether he can continue his impressive form for Marseille. His future, however, is uncertain. It remains to be seen whether he can make a successful return to the Premier League or if he will have to settle for a career in Ligue 1. But, for now, Greenwood is enjoying his success at Marseille, and fans are hoping he can continue his impressive performances.
Greenwood's International Future
Greenwood is also in line to make a switch from England to Jamaica at international level. According to ESPN sources, he is set to change his international allegiance. This move could be driven by his desire to play more regularly for his country, as Jamaica is a less competitive team than England and he would have a better chance of getting into the squad. He is a talented player and could make a real difference for Jamaica. However, his decision will be met with mixed reactions from fans in both countries.
A New Era for Marseille?
Marseille's win over Toulouse was a significant one, as it showed that they are a serious contender for the Ligue 1 title. They have a strong squad, a talented manager, and a star player in Mason Greenwood. The team's strong start to the season has fueled hopes of a successful season, but they still have a long way to go to achieve their goal of winning the title. It will be interesting to see how they perform in the coming months. Only time will tell if this is the beginning of a new era for Marseille.
A Greenwood Era?
It is too early to say whether Greenwood will be the catalyst for a new era at Marseille. However, his performances so far suggest that he is a player who can make a real difference for the club. If he can continue his impressive form, he could become a legend at Marseille. But, only time will tell if this is just the beginning of a remarkable journey or a mere flash in the pan.
