Olympique de Marseille has often seen extraordinary talents pass through, but according to Souleymane Diawara, none rivals Hatem Ben Arfa. The former Senegalese defender revealed, in a recent interview, his admiration for the ex-Marseille player, not hesitating to compare him to Lionel Messi.
“Ben Arfa, a player of Messi’s level”
Recruited by OM in 2008, Hatem Ben Arfa left his mark with his spectacular style and extraordinary technique. For Diawara, Ben Arfa had a talent comparable to that of the six-time Ballon d’Or. “I said it was on the level of Lionel Messi? I confirm 10,000 times”, he told Ange GR. He highlighted Ben Arfa’s ability to do wonders with the ball: “Even on a table, he dribbles at you. But it was when he wanted to… Otherwise, you wanted to smash him.”
A star who made the Vélodrome vibrate
According to Diawara, Ben Arfa attracted the crowds at the Stade Vélodrome thanks to his spectacular play: “When you pay for a football ticket, that’s why. Hatem was a spectacle.” He also recalls that Neymar, another football legend, nicknamed Ben Arfa El Phenomenoa sign of recognition of his immense talent.
