Who are the best Marseille players of all time? Olympique de Marseille is one of the most historical teams in French football and won the first rebranded Champions League in 1993.
The club has shaped some of Europe’s biggest stars. Robert Pires and Samir Nasri shone for Arsenal and are special mentions. So too did Marcel Desailly. These are the ten best Marseille players ever:
10. Didier Drogba
Before making a name for himself at Chelsea, Didier Drogba played just one season at Marseille scoring 19 goals in Ligue 1 and guiding the club to the UEFA Cup final in 2004.
Although only brief was his stay at Marseille, Drogba showcased his strength and skill that became a nightmare for defenders. He arrived at Chelsea for a then-club record £24m showing just how insane he was.
9. Roger Scotti
One of the best Marseille players of all time, midfielder Roger Scotti dominated the French Division 1 during the 1940s and 1950s on the back of his intelligence and calmness.
Spending his entire career at the club, Scotti held a 60-year record for most games played for Marseille with 452 in all competitions, before he was surpassed by Steve Mandanda.
8. Dimitri Payet
Dimitri Payet played nine seasons for Marseille across two stints, with his return in 2017 marking a renaissance for the club. Returning back from West Ham, he’s arguably their best ever player in the modern era.
Payet’s vision, dribbling, and astonishing set-piece mastery no doubt made him an X factor at Marseille, helping them reach the 2018 Europa League final and mesmerising a fan base that hold him at icon status.
7. Fabien Barthez
Fabien Barthez is one of the best Marseille players of we’ll time, arriving in 1992 from Toulouse. He played six seasons at the club across two spells and was crucial in Marseilles 1993 Champions League success.
Barthez’s charisma and shot-stopping ability endeared him to fans at the club as well as on the international stage following his heroics at the 1998 World Cup for France.
6. Basile Boli
Best remembered for scoring the winning goal of the 1993 Champions League final, Basile Boli is one of the best Marseille players of all time, spending four seasons at the club and also winning two league titles.
Boli was a formidable central defender who dominated with his physicality and ability in the air. A key part of Marseille’s rise to prominence in European football, his partnership with Fabian Barthez in goal was legendary.
5. Steve Mandanda
Across two spells, Steve Mandanda made the most appearances for Marseille having played 614 games and he helped the club to the Ligue 1 title in 2010. His remarkable shot-stopping ability and leadership has also earned him the respect of the fan base.
A Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year five-time winner, Mandanda moved to Premier League team Crystal Palace in 2016 although returned back to Marsille 12 months later for his second stint, further cementing his legacy at the club during his second stint.
4. Josip Skoblar
With the second most goals in Marseille history, Josip Skoblar dominated the French Division 1 in his seven seasons at the club. He won Division 1 twice, was the league’s top goalscorer on three occasions and Europe’s top scorer in 1970-71 scoring 44 goals, a French top flight record.
All up Skoblar scored 175 goals for Marseille finding the back of the net on the back of his scintillating speed and solid dribbling ability. He was also lethal with this head, and his 1970-71 season earned him the European Golden Shoe title.
3. Gunnar Andersson
Swede striker Gunnar Andersson has scored the most goals for Marseille with 194 from 220 matches in all competitions. His goal-scoring ability and technical skills were exceptional and made him a constant threat.
Andersson was much appreciated and admired by Marseille fans despite a league title eluding him. He also sacrificed playing for the Swedish national team as players outside the Allsvenskan were not selected.
2. Jean-Pierre Papin
Arriving from Belgian giants Club Brugge in 1986, Jean-Pierre Papin went on to become one of the best Marseille players of all time featuring 278 times for the club and scoring 184 goals.
Papin’s remarkable ability to score from all angles and his signature “Papinade” volley helped Marseille to four consecutive Division 1 titles. He also helped the club secure the 1991 UEFA Cup victory, the same year he won the Ballon d’Or.
1. Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps is not only the greatest Marseille player ever, he’s also one of the best French players in history. Arriving from Nantes in 1989 the star defensive midfielder featured in four excellent seasons at the club.
A tactical magician who intelligently took possession of the ball and transitioned his team from defence to attack, Deschamp’s greatest achievement was captaining Marseille to winning the Champions League in 1993.