Today at RC Lens, Florian Thauvin remains one of the best-known faces in Ligue 1, particularly for his best years under the colors of Olympique de Marseille. The French striker played 281 games for 86 goals and 61 assists with the Ciel et Blanc. First between 2013 and 2015 then between 2016 and 2021, after a whirlwind spell at Newcastle United.
During these two periods, the Orléanais also took part in Marseille's campaigns in the 2016 Coupe de France and 2018 Europa League, both concluded with defeats in the final against Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético de Madrid. But is such a record enough to make him an OM legend? If we are to believe Jérôme Rothen, the answer is no.
“We have to stop seeing legends everywhere”
“Florian Thauvin has left his mark on Marseille football, that’s for sure, through his longevity, through his number of matches played and through his stats (…) Thauvin has always had a major role in all the teams where he played (…) He went to find his place in the France team and I congratulate him. But if we play on the word legend, we have to stop seeing legends everywhere”reacted the former PSG midfielder at the microphone of
RMC.
“I had the chance to play with and against legends with a capital L. There are not 15,000 of them. Being a legend of a club means longevity, the titles won, the influence you have had on the pitch but above all doing better than previous or future generations”added Rothen, in reference to Thauvin's record of no trophies with the Marseille club.
