Saturday evening, the Vélodrome is preparing to see another of its children again. Maxime Lopez, trained at OM and now midfielder in Paris FC, will again tread the Marseille lawn, five years after his departure, when the Parisian club moves to the Marseille city on behalf of the 2nd day of Ligue 1. after the warm reception reserved for Boubacar Kamara, who came to play a friendly with Aston Villa, the question of asking: ovation, indifference or simple politeness?
Among the Olympian supporters, Lopez still embodies one of the few players who left the training center to have really marked the first team in recent years. At 18, he quickly established himself by his technical quality and his game intelligence in the midfield. Lopez has often symbolized the attachment of young Marseillais to the sky and white jersey. But some also blame him for a ceiling never completely reached, physical fragility and a last more discreet season under André Villas-Boas.
He called not to whistle Kamara
In 2020, at the end of an increased period of competition in the middle, Lopez was forced to choose exile to grow on the side of Sassuolo in Serie A. At the time, he had entrusted: “I needed to leave the family cocoon to progress”. A choice respected by many, even if he had left a little taste of unfinished.
Maxime Lopez never hid his love for Marseille. Regularly, he evokes his memories at the Vélodrome and supports his former teammates. Recently again, he called not to whistle Boubacar Kamara, another child from the club, proof of an always intact link with his training audience.
His return on Saturday, his return is expected to generate more respect than resentment. In an often ruthless velodrome, it would already be a great brand of recognition for one of his prodigal sons, even if he now wears the jersey of one of the clubs in the capital generally hated by the locals. And then, the Marseille supporters have, unfortunately, other cats to whip at the moment …
