Paixao announces his departure from Marseille next summer after outburst at Troyes

Igor Paixao announced his own departure from Olympique de Marseille, stating on the sidelines of Sunday evening’s match at Troyes that he would leave “next summer”. The Brazilian striker, signed for €35 million a year ago, had nevertheless been forced to stay this summer when a preliminary agreement existed with Sunderland for a transfer at the same amount.

When asked about his future, Paixao did not mince words: “In January, teams are already formed, it’s difficult. There’s a better chance I’ll leave next summer.” A statement all the more striking given that he had justified his decision to stay at Marseille a few weeks earlier with a collective argument: “The club’s situation made me stay. I thought about what was best for the club. Even if they sold me, they wouldn’t have been able to replace me, a piece that is important to them.”

This reversal comes in a difficult sporting context for the Brazilian, who has not scored a single goal in six official matches this season. On Sunday at Troyes, his frustration boiled over when Bruno Genesio substituted him in the 87th minute: Paixao made no attempt to hide his displeasure as he left the pitch.

The Marseille coach attempted to downplay the incident in his press conference. “For me, it’s nothing. I think he was frustrated, perhaps frustrated to come off, perhaps frustrated with his performance. But I can understand that. He knows he can count on me, he knows he has the group’s confidence, he knows we did a lot of things for him to stay here. There’s nothing serious,” Genesio said.

Paixao, however, had recently displayed his attachment to the club: “It’s a privilege and a responsibility to wear a shirt with so much history. I’m happy, Marseille is a great club. I love the way my family and I are treated here.” Statements that now sound like a farewell announced several months in advance.