Benatia Opens Door to PSG Return

Rabat – Former Olympique de Marseille sporting director Mehdi Benatia has refused to rule out a future return to football management, hinting that a high-profile project at Paris Saint-Germain could get him back into the game.

The Moroccan executive explained that he is open to moving to Paris in three to five years, as long as the project is led by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

Speaking to the press, in comments reported by Foot Mercato, the 39-year-old clarified his immediate plans for a break from the game. 

“Today, I decided to leave. I made this choice for many reasons,” he stated.

“If tomorrow I’m still speaking with people like Nasser Al- Khelaifi —with whom, I repeat, there is a lot of mutual respect and affection—and he needs me, [I would consider it].”

But Benatia stressed that he is not looking for such a transition now, suggesting he needs some time to get ready for that offer should it come. 

He said, “Not right away, because if I stop now, I need to cut off. Right now, I really need to rest. But in three, four, or five years, if there’s a project where I need to come back to football, and Nasser needs me in a role at Paris Saint-Germain, and if I like the idea at that moment… why not?” 

The former Morocco international also underlined that he does not feel indebted to anyone in his professional career.

“Why do I owe anything to anyone? I don’t owe anyone anything! If you’re waiting for me to say ‘no’ just because I owe something to someone else… I don’t owe anyone anything.”

Instead, he emphasized that any future decisions will depend solely on his personal convictions and the nature of the sporting project on the table.