Mason Greenwood left Manchester United permanently in July 2024 to join Ligue 1 side Marseille, and his boss Roberto De Zerbi believes he could win the Ballon d’Or one day
Marseille manager Roberto de Zerbi has declared that former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood possesses the talent to one day claim the Ballon d’Or. The striker departed Old Trafford in a £26.6million transfer to Marseille in July 2024.
The 23-year-old went on to net 22 goals and provide six assists in all competitions during his first campaign with the French Ligue 1 side. Greenwood has not played for United since January 2022, after an internal club investigation led to the conclusion that he wouldn’t play for them again following charges of attempted rape, coercive control and assault brought in early 2022.
The charges were subsequently dropped in February 2023, with Greenwood firmly denying all accusations. The academy product has bagged 13 goals across all competitions this term – including three in the Champions League.
Speaking to journalists on Friday before Marseille’s fixture against Monaco, De Zerbi expressed his belief that Greenwood has what it takes to win football’s most prestigious individual honour.
He said: “I see him every day, he has huge potential. I don’t see any other players in Europe at the same level.
“He has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or. It will be up to him to decide whether he wants to do everything he can to fight for it or not.
“At the level of the qualities that nature has given him, that his parents have given him, I think he is worthy of the Ballon d’Or.
“I would like him to be more consistent. I know he needs to press with more intensity, he needs to manage the ball better when the team is in trouble, not lose the ball easily but keep it to allow the team to move up because he has the ability to do it.”
Greenwood, who has earned one England cap, changed his international allegiance to Jamaica earlier this year.
In August, he obtained his passport for the Caribbean nation, paving the way for him to play for his grandparents’ country.
That choice may now feel more straightforward following Thomas Tuchel’s dismissal of any prospect of an England comeback.
“I have not spoken to him until now,” he said in September.
“I have not spoken to him or his camp. My understanding was that he tries to play for Jamaica so we didn’t give it another thought.
“He was not in the mix at the moment and he is not in our thoughts for our team.”
