'"Certainly, talent is talent''Arrest → withdrawal → return → Marce Yuhaeng'' Akdong Greenwood, another multi-goal 'Three consecutive goals + League One leading scorer'

Sep 02, 2024

Talent is talent.

Mason Greenwood (Marceille), who has advanced to the French League 1, is flying every day. Marseille beat Toulouse 3-1 in the third round of the 2024-2025 season in Münysipal at Toulouse Stadium in Midipiréne, France on the 1st (Korea time). Marseille is second after Paris Saint-Germain with two wins and one draw since the opening.

Greenwood was the leading player in the victory. Greenwood received a penetration pass in the 16th minute of the first half and scored the first goal with a left-footed shot in the penalty box. A minute later, he scored an extra goal with a left footed shot from the right flank. He scored his second multi-goal this season following the first round. Greenwood led the league with five goals, scoring three in a row.

Marseille, who took the numerical advantage with the exit of Toulouse in the 27th minute of the first half, sealed it with Toulouse's own goal in the 7th minute of the second half. Toulouse scored a goal in the 45th minute of the second half, but Marseille won without difficulty.

Greenwood wore a Marseille uniform this summer. It was a dramatic twist.

Greenwood was England's hope. He quickly distinguished himself with a powerful shot. He scored 17 goals in the 2019-2020 season. After serving in the England national team by age, he also joined the senior national team. However, in the adult national team, along with 'Best Friend' Phil Foden, there was an accident in which women were allowed to enter the hotel during the COVID-19 quarantine period. Greenwood played 129 games for Manchester United, scoring 35 goals and 12 assists. There seemed to be a flowery path ahead of him. Manchester United also caught Greenwood by renewing their contracts all-time.

However, in January last year, he ruined his career on his own. Arrested on charges of rape and assault. At the time, Greenwood's lover Harriet Robson released a photo of herself bleeding and bruises on her legs, eyes, and arms on her social media under the title `To all those who want to know what Greenwood is actually doing to me.' He also released a recording file between Greenwood. It was about dating violence and sexual assault. Manchester police immediately launched an investigation and arrested him on charges of rape and assault. There was even evidence of death threats. Man Utd 'swept away' from Greenwood. Excluded him from the first team squad, deleted the profile from the homepage. All sponsorships have been suspended. Debuting at 17, he completely disappeared from what was called the future of Manchester United and England.

There's a twist. The charges were dismissed. All charges against Greenwood were dropped, and all lawsuits were closed. The legal issue of the Greenwood case has completely disappeared. In a statement, Greenwood said "We are relieved that all matters are now over and we thank our family, loved ones and friends for their support." Greenwood's return path was opened, and much attention was paid to his future. Greenwood attempted to return to football, and there were even rumors of a K-League transfer.

The return to Manchester United is over. I continued my worries, but I had to consider the relationship between commercial partners, supporters, and Manchester United Women. Above all, the players were strongly opposed. As Erik ten Hach has been on the rise since his appointment, he also played a part in not wanting to cloud the atmosphere with the Greenwood issue. United have considered a loan. After sending the lease, he said he would look at the public's reaction to Greenwood. Greenwood began his personal training, and even the video was released. Sooner or later, they will decide on Greenwood's final course of action.

However, the announcement was postponed. United continued to discuss with key figures. In particular, discussions with the women's team players who participated in the World Cup were decisive. There was also strong opposition. Some groups protested against Greenwood. In the opening game, he raised a sign against returning to Greenwood in the opening game and spoke out. Rachel Riley, dubbed England's `national sister', told the BBC that if Manchester United returns Greenwood, they will quit Manchester United fans. Fans also "Greenwood has lost his place at Manchester United.", `I don't want him to wear United's uniform and travel around Old Trafford.'

In the end, Manchester United decided to send Greenwood. The BBC said that Greenwood, which has a contract until 2025, could be loaned or sold to other clubs for the remainder of the contract. Although Greenwood has not played a real game since January 2022, as many teams have watched him as he is still talented. With AS Roma and Galatasaray putting him on the list, Getafe embraced Greenwood.

Getafe's signing of Greenwood was a huge success. He played in 34 games in all tournaments this season, scoring 10 goals and 6 assists, showing a solid performance. Greenwood ranked second among Getafe players this season based on 'Huscoordcom'. He was also named Getafe Player of the Year.

He was linked to a big club with this kind of performance. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have expressed their intention to recruit Greenwood. Greenwood said he would leave Getafe for now. After the final match, he wrote on his personal SNS, `Thank you very much to the Getafe family and fans for having an amazing season, and thank you for making me feel welcome and belonging. Every moment was delightful. Good luck.

Marseille, who is seeking a major change by bringing manager Roberto de Gerby, watched Greenwood. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left for Saudi Arabia and found a new striker. Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton is also on the list. France's L'Equipe reports 'Roberto de Gerby's Marseille monitors Hwang Hee-chan in Wolverhampton' On the same day, France's Foot Mercato also reported that Marseille is interested in recruiting Hwang Hee-chan. "Hwang Hee-chan was included in the list of strikers set by Marseille boardzin, and manager De Zerby also confirmed this." Hwang Hee-chan was nominated for a striker by Marseille along with Mason Greenwood, and De Zerby also likes his style. He also faced Hwang Hee-chan when he was manager of Brighton. However, he said negotiations have not yet begun. L'Equipe said that while he is still looking for an annual salary surplus for liquidity, Marseille has not yet begun negotiations between the clubs.

Marseille's choice was Greenwood. There is a variable. In an interview with French radio broadcaster RMC, Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan said he would urge the Marseille team not to recruit Greenwood. He said "Greenwood's actions are indescribable and unacceptable. He's assaulting his wife... I watched a really shocking video. It's unmanly to hit your wife in this way. There is no place for such a player in this team (Marceille)."

Mayor Payan said "OM's value is different from that. I'm ashamed of myself. I intend to ask Pablo Longoria (Chairman of Marseille) not to recruit Greenwood. I don't want my club to be covered by anyone's shame. Greenwood is a wife-beater. Some Marseille fans also staged a hashtag campaign of 'Don't 'Greenwood' A difficult situation for the Marseille club.

But Greenwood ended up wearing a Marseille uniform. And Greenwood is performing fantastic every game, proving that Marseille's choice was right.

vanbasten@sportschosun.com