Ménès questions Benatia's legitimacy as Canal+ pundit after failed OM exit

Medhi Benatia has not yet appeared on a Canal+ panel before criticism is already flying. The former football director of Olympique de Marseille is among the channel’s new recruits for the upcoming season, alongside Walid Regragui. Laure Boulleau, Samir Nasri and Bertrand Latour make up the rest of the star pundit group.

It was Pierre Ménès, a former face of Canal Football Club turned YouTube commentator, who fired the first shot. In a video posted on his channel, he makes no secret of his bewilderment at this recruitment: « Everyone can ignore my opinion, but I’d say it’s just a matter between Medhi Benatia and himself. Does he feel legitimate, after having wrecked OM in every way, to find himself on a TV panel commenting on others’ work? That’s it… »

Ménès drives the point home by highlighting what he sees as a denial of responsibility: « I’m convinced that Medhi Benatia believes he has no responsibility in what happened at OM, so obviously, that must help him. » The former pundit is not alone in finding the rapid transition — barely two months separate Benatia’s departure from the Marseille club from his new life as a commentator — questionable.

Benatia, who left OM at the end of a season marked by sporting and institutional turmoil, is expected to appear mainly during Ligue des Champions evenings. His ability to analyse the transfer market and club strategies will be closely scrutinised, especially as his Marseille record remains subject to debate.