While he is now evolving in AC Milan, Adrien Rabiot lived an evening rich in emotion at the Allianz Stadium against Juventus Turin. A symbolic return to the lands of its most beautiful Italian years, with in the heart the still burning memory of its tumultuous passage to Olympique de Marseille.
A return to Turin charged with symbols for Rabiot
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Rabiot’s journey to Turin for this Serie A between AC Milan and Juventus was not like any other. Five seasons in the Bianconero jersey, between 2019 and 2024, forged the image of a player respected in the Piedmont. But it is above all his recent experience in Ligue 1, more precisely at OM, which deeply marked the spirits – in the field as outside.
Recall that Rabiot signed at Olympique de Marseille in the summer of 2024 as part of the ambitious project of Pablo Longoria. Unfortunately, an accident in the Vélodrome changing rooms in the fall of 2024 had put a brutal stop to its progression under the Marseille colors. If he has never really had the opportunity to establish himself as the leader of the Olympian midfield, the 29 -year -old retains a complex relationship with Marseille, made up of unusual regrets and promises.
Warm reunion with the Juventini
In an Allianz Stadium full to crack, Rabiot was largely ovationed by the Tifosi Bianconeri before the start. And if he did not find the flaw in this 0-0 draw between Juve and Milan, his influence in the Rossonero midfield was notable. At Dazn’s microphone, French has not hidden his emotion: “What a moving evening! I know so many players from Juventus, the stadium, the staff, and even the trainer Tudor … come back here, it was special ” (Source: Dazn, October 2025).
This scene also looked like a striking contrast with what a return to the Parc des Princes could look like … Between the child of PSG and a Parisian audience often critical of his former talents, Rabiot found in Turin what Marseille could not offer him in a year: a field of stability and lasting recognition.
A sporting frustration despite the emotion
But technique and emotions are not always enough to tip the scoring. Rabiot did not mask his frustration after the meeting, pointing the tactical shortcomings of Milan AC: “Honestly, I’m furious. We should have deserved it “said the midfielder, pointing to the lack of realism before the goal and an inability to “exploit the depth” of the workforce (source: Dazn, October 2025).
The outcome of the match is indicative of a disturbing trend for Milan at the start of the 2025-2026 season. With European ambitions displayed, the Rossoneri will have to progress quickly if they want to hold the Cadence in Serie A and in the Champions League. A dynamic that OM knows well: last season, the Phocaeans also struggled to transform their highlights into concrete results. A recurring evil in modern possession football?
Rabiot and OM: an aborted chapter … but not forgotten
Although he quickly left the Marseille city, the passage from Rabiot to OM remains symbolic of the limitations of the Olympian project. If the Marseille club aims to tickle PSG – still undisputed master in Ligue 1 despite some European hungs – it still lacks this structural stability capable of attracting and retaining the big names over time.
From this point of view, the rapid departure of Rabiot speaks volumes: when the conditions are not met, even the experienced profiles prefer to bounce elsewhere. And when in Paris, Luis Enrique shapes a winning machine around young promising talents, OM hopes that its new spine – without rabiot – will keep the shock on the grounds and behind the scenes.
For the time being, Rabiot seems to have found in Milan what Marseille could not offer him: an ambitious, structured team capable of playing the leading roles. To follow, very closely.
