Marseille president Pablo Longoria has provided a candid insight into the club's decision to sign Mason Greenwood, revealing he sought personal advice from his mother before completing the controversial transfer.
The Controversial Signing
Marseille secured the services of Mason Greenwood from Manchester United in 2024 for a reported fee of £26 million. The transfer generated significant debate due to the forward's previous legal situation, where he faced allegations of attempted rape, assault, and coercive control before the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges.
Since arriving at the Stade Velodrome, Greenwood has demonstrated his footballing prowess with an impressive record of 42 goals in just 64 appearances for the French club. Despite his on-field success, the initial signing remained a topic of intense discussion within football circles and beyond.
Seeking Maternal Guidance
In a revealing interview with The Telegraph, Longoria explained his unusual approach to the decision-making process. "For me, it's correct to speak openly about it," the Marseille president stated. "Creating taboos in life is never positive."
Longoria described how, after conducting thorough due diligence and gathering all available information about Greenwood's situation, he turned to his mother for counsel. "This is the first time I speak about this – with all the information I called my mother," he revealed.
"And I said 'what do you think, knowing all the situation?'" Longoria continued. His mother, who previously worked in Spain's prison system and received state recognition for her contributions, provided a decisive response after considering all aspects of the case.
A Mother's Perspective
"And she said to me 'do it'," Longoria disclosed. "With all the information. It was important because I wanted someone who doesn't have the incentive of the sport, because the talent is there, that her only incentive is the good of her son. As a man, not as a president."
The Marseille president emphasized the significance of his mother's perspective, noting that her background in the prison system gave her particular insight into rehabilitation and second chances. "For me, it was very important that she said to me, knowing all of this, 'do it'," Longoria added.
Greenwood's Future at Marseille
Despite reported interest from other clubs since his move to France, Longoria expressed his desire to retain Greenwood's services. "We are happy," the president stated. "He's performing and the numbers, the talent is there."
Longoria acknowledged the financial realities of French football while discussing Greenwood's future, but remained optimistic about the player's continued development at Marseille. "I think if we are all aligned on Mason he can still have a future here," he said.
The president also noted Greenwood's ongoing development, observing: "I think that it can be as well for him necessary because we are seeing that Mason this season is not the Mason of last season. I expect that he's continuing to grow up and I would like to help him as well, you know, being better each day."
Longoria's revelations provide a unique perspective on how football clubs navigate complex personnel decisions, blending sporting considerations with personal values and external counsel in their evaluation processes.
