‘Buying Mahrez? Stop taking us for fools!’

In 2014 Olympique Marseille, had a ‘monster’ midfield consisted of players like Mario Lemina, Andre Ayew, Florian Thauvin and Dimitri Payet, but one football agent though he could offer his player to the might club from the south of France. The famous Marcelo Bielsa was the coach then, and they finished the season in fourth place, while being knocked out in the opening rounds of both French Cups. Great things were on the horizon and Marseille president at the time Vincent Labrune was full of confidence. But when he got the call from the football agent and heard about the player he was almost angry.

Leicester City was not successful that year as Marseille and finished in 14th place, fighting relegation. Their player, Riyad Mahrez was an Algerian international already and a big fan of Olympique. So when he was told there is an opportunity, he had some hopes.

“When I was at Leicester, we were in a period where we were going to go down. I think my agent had spoken with Vincent Labrune. I didn't know until everything came out. Labrune had told him: 'Stop taking us for fools, do you think we're going to take players from Leicester...' The following year, we were the best team in the league" Mahrez recalled to the media “Carre”.

Ultimate football ruler: The Algerian conquers his third continent!

In 2015, France Football revealed Labrune’s e-mail to Mahrez’s agent.

"Do you really think that Leicester players (...) can now have a place at OM in our project?" In order to save time, I would like to point out that we try to be professional and qualitative in terms of recruitment and that consequently the probability of us taking players in this way is zero. I hope you won't take this message badly, but I can't stand being taken for a fool" he wrote.

‘Marseille – PSG is not Classico’

So what happened in 2015? Leicester became champions of the Premier League and Mahrez won many more titles later on with Manchester City. As for Marseille, they finished 13th and Bielsa was sacked during the season. But the Algerian international holds no grudges.

"My connection with Marseille when I was little? All those players I grew up with, Ribery, Drogba, Niang, Nasri, Ben Arfa... I couldn't miss a Marseille match, it wasn't possible. A true lover. My dream was to play at the Velodrome. I played there once with City, but it was behind closed doors because of Covid. Do I think about wearing the OM jersey? No, not anymore, I've gotten over that. But it was my favorite club" he said.