The 2025/26 season finds Olympique de Marseille in a state of determined ambition under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian manager who took the helm in 2024 following his successful stint at Brighton & Hove Albion. Les Olympiens have fully embraced De Zerbi’s tactical philosophy – possession-based football, aggressive pressing, and build-up play that prioritises risk-taking and positional rotations. The Stade Vélodrome, with its legendary South Stand and capacity of over 67,000, remains one of European football’s most intimidating venues, where the fervent supporters demand attacking football and trophies. This season’s squad reflects De Zerbi’s vision: technical midfielders, pacy wingers, and a fluid attack designed to overwhelm opponents through collective movement rather than individual brilliance. The summer transfer window saw significant investment, with Marseille breaking their transfer record to secure the services of an elite striker while adding Premier League experience to the backline. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Marseille’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
Gerónimo Rulli
Nationality: Argentine
Former Clubs: Estudiantes, Real Sociedad, Montpellier, Ajax
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2024)
Gerónimo Rulli has become Marseille’s undisputed number one following his arrival from Ajax, the Argentine World Cup winner providing reflexes, distribution, and composure that have silenced pre-season sceptics. The 33-year-old’s shot-stopping (76% save percentage in 2024/25, 75% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (87% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Marseille’s Champions League qualification campaign. Rulli’s distribution (89% pass completion), particularly his short passes to centre-backs and clipped deliveries to advancing wing-backs, suits De Zerbi’s possession-based build-up perfectly. Having started 30 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 13 clean sheets, he has proven remarkably durable. Rulli’s contract runs through 2028, with Marseille rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs. Rulli’s performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Le Classique—making 9 saves, including a spectacular double stop—demonstrated his elite quality.
Jeffrey de Lange
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Go Ahead Eagles, Jong Ajax, Marseille
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2024)
Jeffrey de Lange has accepted a rotational role behind Rulli, providing Dutch youth pedigree, cup competition cover, and long-term succession planning. The 27-year-old’s shot-stopping (73% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (87% pass completion) provide functional cover. de Lange started 8 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Rulli’s rest), keeping 3 clean sheets. de Lange’s contract runs through 2028.
Noam Mayoka-Tika
Nationality: Belgian (Congolese descent)
Former Clubs: Marseille academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Noam Mayoka-Tika has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Marseille’s youth setup. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
Leonardo Balerdi (Captain)
Nationality: Argentine
Former Clubs: Boca Juniors, Borussia Dortmund
Transfer Fee: €12 million (2021)
Leonardo Balerdi has become Marseille’s defensive captain and leader, the Argentine international providing ball-playing quality, tactical intelligence, and leadership across five seasons at the Stade Vélodrome. The 27-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.6 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs—provides defensive security. His right-footed passing (5.4 progressive passes per 90, 91% completion) initiates attacks from deep. Balerdi’s tackling (2.8 per 90) and aerial duel success (84%) provide physical presence. His partnership with Lilian Brassier has conceded only 1.02 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Balerdi’s leadership, formalised as club captain, manages Marseille’s dressing room through vocal authority and professional standards. Balerdi’s contract runs through 2029.
Lilian Brassier
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Stade Rennais, Brest (loan)
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2024)
Lilian Brassier has become Balerdi’s long-term partner, the French centre-back providing physicality, aerial dominance, and tactical discipline following his arrival from Stade Rennais. The 26-year-old’s aerial duel success (86%) and tackling (2.9 per 90) provide defensive security. Brassier’s contract runs through 2029.
Ulisses Garcia
Nationality: Swiss (Portuguese descent)
Former Clubs: Young Boys, Werder Bremen
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2024)
Ulisses Garcia has provided left-back depth following his arrival from Werder Bremen, the Swiss international offering pace, crossing, and defensive diligence. The 29-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.6 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 2 assists in 2025/26. Garcia’s contract runs through 2028.
Quentin Merlin
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Nantes
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2024)
Quentin Merlin has become Marseille’s first-choice left-back following his arrival from Nantes, the French youth international providing energy, crossing, and attacking thrust. The 23-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.9 per 90) and crossing (38% accuracy) created 5 assists in 2025/26. Merlin’s contract runs through 2029.
Michael Murillo
Nationality: Panamanian
Former Clubs: Independiente, New York Red Bulls, Anderlecht
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2023)
Michael Murillo has become Marseille’s first-choice right-back, the Panamanian international providing pace, crossing, and defensive improvement across three seasons at the club. The 30-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.8 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 4 assists in 2025/26. Murillo’s contract runs through 2028.
Bamo Meïté
Nationality: Ivorian (French-born)
Former Clubs: Lorient, Marseille
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2024)
Bamo Meïté has provided centre-back depth following his arrival from Lorient, the Ivorian defender offering physicality and aerial presence. The 26-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Luis Henrique
Nationality: Brazilian (covered in forwards; primarily a winger but can play wing-back)
Midfielders
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
Nationality: Danish
Former Clubs: Bayern Munich, Schalke 04 (loan), Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur
Transfer Fee: €15 million (2024)
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has become Marseille’s midfield anchor, the Danish international providing tackling, interceptions, and leadership following his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur. The 30-year-old’s tackling (3.3 per 90) and interceptions (2.6 per 90) lead Marseille’s midfield. His work rate (11.8 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.5 pressures per 90) set De Zerbi’s standards. Højbjerg’s passing (89% completion) remains secure; his role involves disruption and leadership. Højbjerg’s contract runs through 2029.
Amine Harit
Nationality: Moroccan (French-born)
Former Clubs: Nantes, Schalke 04
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2021)
Amine Harit has become Marseille’s creative heartbeat, the Moroccan international providing dribbling, creativity, and finishing from attacking midfield across five seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s dribbling (3.8 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) provide consistent threat. Harit’s contract runs through 2028.
Valentin Rongier
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Nantes
Transfer Fee: €13 million (2019)
Valentin Rongier has provided midfield depth following his long service, the French midfielder offering energy, tackling, and tactical discipline across seven seasons at the club. The 31-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Geoffrey Kondogbia
Nationality: Central African Republic (French-born)
Former Clubs: Lens, Sevilla, Monaco, Inter Milan, Valencia, Atlético Madrid
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2023)
Geoffrey Kondogbia has provided defensive midfield depth following his arrival from Atlético Madrid, the Central African international offering physicality, tackling, and experience. The 32-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Ismaël Koné
Nationality: Canadian
Former Clubs: CF Montréal, Watford
Transfer Fee: €12 million (2025)
Ismaël Koné’s summer 2025 arrival from Watford added Canadian energy, ball-carrying, and midfield depth to Marseille’s squad. The 23-year-old’s ball-carrying (3.9 progressive carries per 90) and work rate provide functional depth. Koné’s contract runs through 2029.
Azzedine Ounahi
Nationality: Moroccan
Former Clubs: Angers, Stade Rennais
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2025)
Azzedine Ounahi’s summer 2025 arrival from Stade Rennais added Moroccan creativity, dribbling, and attacking midfield depth to Marseille’s squad. The 25-year-old’s finishing (4 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (3 assists) provide functional depth. Ounahi’s contract runs through 2029.
Emran Soglo
Nationality: English (Nigerian descent)
Former Clubs: Marseille academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Emran Soglo has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 20-year-old midfielder representing the future of Marseille’s midfield depth. Soglo’s contract runs through 2029.
Forwards
Elye Wahi
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Montpellier, RC Lens
Transfer Fee: €25 million (2024)
Elye Wahi has become Marseille’s primary attacking weapon, the French striker providing finishing, pace, and movement that have justified his significant transfer fee. The 23-year-old’s finishing (18 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (28%) provide elite scoring threat. Wahi’s movement off the shoulder (3.4 shots per 90, 0.57 xG per shot) terrorises defences. His work rate pressing centre-backs (10.7 pressures per 90) sets Marseille’s defensive tone from the front. Wahi’s contract runs through 2029.
Mason Greenwood
Nationality: English
Former Clubs: Manchester United, Getafe (loan)
Transfer Fee: €20 million (2025)
Mason Greenwood’s summer 2025 arrival from Manchester United added English finishing, dribbling, and controversy to Marseille’s attack. The 24-year-old’s finishing (14 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (26%) provide consistent scoring threat. Greenwood’s dribbling (3.7 successful take-ons per 90) and cutting inside onto his left foot terrorise defenders. Greenwood’s contract runs through 2029.
Luis Henrique
Nationality: Brazilian
Former Clubs: Botafogo
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2023)
Luis Henrique has provided wide depth following his arrival from Botafogo, the Brazilian winger offering pace, dribbling, and creativity from the left flank. The 24-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.5 successful take-ons per 90) provide functional depth. Henrique’s contract runs through 2028.
Jonathan Rowe
Nationality: English
Former Clubs: Norwich City
Transfer Fee: €12 million (2025)
Jonathan Rowe’s summer 2025 arrival from Norwich City added English pace, dribbling, and wide attacking depth to Marseille’s squad. The 22-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.4 successful take-ons per 90) suggest potential. Rowe’s contract runs through 2029.
Iliman Ndiaye
Nationality: Senegalese (French-born)
Former Clubs: Sheffield United, Olympique Marseille
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2024)
Iliman Ndiaye has provided attacking midfield and wide depth following his return to Marseille, the Senegalese international offering creativity, dribbling, and finishing. The 25-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Ndiaye’s contract runs through 2028.
François Mughe
Nationality: French (Cameroonian descent)
Former Clubs: Marseille academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
François Mughe has provided wide depth following his graduation from Marseille’s academy, the 21-year-old winger offering pace and dribbling. Mughe’s contract runs through 2029.
Enzo Sternal
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Marseille academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Enzo Sternal has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 18-year-old forward representing the future of Marseille’s attacking depth. Sternal’s contract runs through 2030.
Conclusion
Marseille’s 2025/26 squad represents the most talented and tactically sophisticated group assembled since the club’s Champions League glory days of the early 1990s, a testament to Roberto De Zerbi’s coaching philosophy, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Wahi, Greenwood, Højbjerg), and the academy’s continued production (Soglo, Sternal, Mughe). The defence, anchored by Leonardo Balerdi’s Argentine composure and Lilian Brassier’s French physicality, provides platform for De Zerbi’s possession-based, risk-taking system. The midfield, dominated by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s Danish leadership and Amine Harit’s Moroccan creativity, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and technical quality. The attack, headlined by Elye Wahi’s French finishing and Mason Greenwood’s English goal threat, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Marseille has balanced immediate Champions League ambitions with long-term planning; Wahi, Greenwood, Koné, and Merlin represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves finally breaking Paris Saint-Germain’s domestic stranglehold – Marseille has not won Ligue 1 since 2010 – and translating Stade Vélodrome passion into silverware. Yet the legendary atmosphere of the South Stand provides emotional fuel. Marseille no longer hopes merely to compete for Champions League qualification; they expect to challenge for the Ligue 1 title. This squad appears equipped to deliver another European qualification campaign and perhaps more. Allez OM.
