Olympique Marseille Manager De Zerbi Fumes Over Greenwood, Rabiot Snubs for UNFP Awards

Olympique Marseille’s season has been a rollercoaster, but manager Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly fuming over what he perceives as a major oversight: the exclusion of Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot from the UNFP (National Union of Professional Footballers) Best Player of the Season nominations. Both signings were initially met with skepticism, but have become integral to Marseille’s success.

Greenwood’s arrival was controversial,given his past issues in the Premier League,a situation not unlike when the New York Yankees acquired Aroldis Chapman. Rabiot, on the other hand, faced criticism stemming from his past with paris Saint-Germain, Marseille’s arch-rivals, reminiscent of a Boston Red Sox player joining the Yankees.

Despite the initial doubts, both players have thrived under De Zerbi’s guidance. The manager didn’t hold back his feelings about their omission from the UNFP nominations.

“On the UNFP awards … these five coaches (Luis Enrique, Bruno Gejásio, Adi Hutter, liam Rosenior, Éric Roy) They are excellent coaches. there is no envy. What bothers me is not to see Rabiot and Greenwood among the best players in the championship. It’s annoying, I smoked five or six more cigarettes and moved on.”

Roberto De Zerbi, Olympique Marseille Manager

De Zerbi’s frustration is palpable. he clearly believes that Greenwood and Rabiot’s contributions have been undervalued. This situation echoes instances in American sports where key players on accomplished teams are overlooked for individual awards, often due to pre-existing narratives or biases.

The nominated players for the UNFP Best Player of the Season are Ousman Develop,Rayan Cherki,Vilinha,and Achraf Hakimi. The award ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 11, at the Pavillon Gabriel in paris.

The snub raises questions about the criteria used for the UNFP awards. Are individual statistics weighted too heavily? Dose media perception play an outsized role? These are questions worth exploring further.

One could argue that Develop, Cherki, Vilinha and Hakimi have had statistically superior seasons. Though, statistics don’t always tell the whole story. Greenwood and Rabiot may have provided intangible qualities – leadership, tactical flexibility, or a winning mentality – that are not easily quantifiable but are crucial to Marseille’s performance. This is similar to how a defensive-minded player in the NBA might be undervalued compared to a high-scoring guard.

Another counterargument might be that the nominees represent a broader range of teams and playing styles. Award committees often strive for diversity in their selections. However, if the goal is truly to recognize the “best player,” then merit should be the primary consideration, irrespective of team affiliation or playing style.

Further investigation is needed to understand the voting process and the factors that influenced the UNFP’s decision. Did the voters adequately consider the impact of Greenwood and Rabiot on Marseille’s overall success? Did off-field issues, particularly Greenwood’s past, unfairly influence the perception of his on-field performance?

For American sports fans, this situation serves as a reminder that individual awards are often subjective and can be influenced by factors beyond pure performance. It highlights the importance of considering the full context when evaluating a player’s contribution to a team.

Zerbi’s OM Roberto coach has expressed his disappointment not to see Adrien Rabiot and Mason Greenwood among the names in the UNFP trophy for the best player of the season, who will be handed over on Sunday
➡️ https://t.co/w17wBRHH3N pic.twitter.com/LadbVP7QMM

– The team (@lequipe) May 9, 2025

Olympique MarseilleS season has been a rollercoaster, but manager Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly fuming over what he perceives as a major oversight: the exclusion of Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot from the UNFP (National Union of Professional Footballers) Best Player of the Season nominations. Both signings were initially met with skepticism, but have become integral to Marseille’s success.

Greenwood’s arrival was controversial, given his past issues in the Premier League, a situation not unlike when the New York Yankees acquired Aroldis chapman. Rabiot, conversely, faced criticism stemming from his past with Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille’s arch-rivals, reminiscent of a Boston Red Sox player joining the Yankees.

Despite the initial doubts, both players have thrived under De zerbi’s guidance. The manager didn’t hold back his feelings about their omission from the UNFP nominations.

“On the UNFP awards … these five coaches (Luis Enrique, Bruno Genesio, Adi Hutter, Liam Rosenior, Éric Roy) They are excellent coaches.There is no envy. What bothers me is not to see Rabiot and Greenwood among the best players in the championship. It’s annoying; I smoked five or six more cigarettes and moved on.”

Roberto De Zerbi, Olympique marseille Manager

De Zerbi’s frustration is palpable. He clearly believes that Greenwood and rabiot’s contributions have been undervalued. This situation echoes instances in American sports where key players on accomplished teams are overlooked for individual awards, often due to pre-existing narratives or biases.

The nominated players for the UNFP Best Player of the Season are Ousmane Dembélé, Rayan Cherki, Vitinha, and Achraf hakimi. The award ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 11, at the Pavillon Gabriel in Paris.

The snub raises questions about the criteria used for the UNFP awards. Are individual statistics weighted too heavily? Does media perception play an outsized role? These are questions worth exploring further.

One could argue that Dembélé, Cherki, Vitinha and Hakimi have had statistically superior seasons. Though, statistics don’t always tell the whole story. Greenwood and Rabiot may have provided intangible qualities – leadership, tactical adaptability, or a winning mentality – that are not easily quantifiable but are crucial to Marseille’s performance. This is similar to how a defensive-minded player in the NBA might be undervalued compared to a high-scoring guard.

Another counterargument might be that the nominees represent a broader range of teams and playing styles. Award committees often strive for diversity in their selections. Though, if the goal is truly to recognize the “best player,” then merit should be the primary consideration, irrespective of team affiliation or playing style.

Further examination is needed to understand the voting process and the factors that influenced the UNFP’s decision. Did the voters adequately consider the impact of Greenwood and Rabiot on Marseille’s overall success? Did off-field issues,particularly Greenwood’s past,unfairly influence the perception of his on-field performance?

For American sports fans,this situation serves as a reminder that individual awards are often subjective and can be influenced by factors beyond pure performance. It highlights the importance of considering the full context when evaluating a player’s contribution to a team.

Zerbi’s OM coach Roberto has expressed his disappointment not to see Adrien Rabiot and Mason Greenwood among the names in the UNFP trophy for the best player of the season, who will be handed over on Sunday
➡️ https://t.co/w17wBRHH3N pic.twitter.com/LadbVP7QMM

– L’Équipe (@lequipe) May 9,2025

Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot: Key Stats Comparison

To better understand the impact of Greenwood and Rabiot, let’s compare their key statistics from the 2024-2025 season against those of the UNFP nominees.This data provides a more quantitative perspective on their performance,juxtaposing them with the players who *did* make the cut.

Note: Statistics are approximate and may vary slightly based on the data source. This table focuses on Ligue 1 (French League) performance.

Key Takeaways from the Data:

• Greenwood’s Goalscoring Prowess: Greenwood’s 15 goals demonstrate his important offensive contribution, placing him among the league’s top scorers.
• Rabiot’s All-Round Impact: Rabiot’s strong performance in tackles highlights his defensive capabilities and, coupled with his assists, showcases his value at both ends of the field.
• Comparison with Nominees: While Dembélé and other nominees may have similar or slightly better statistics in certain areas, the data suggests that Greenwood and Rabiot’s contributions were comparable, if not superior, in key aspects.

UNFP Awards: Your Questions Answered

The omission of Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot from the UNFP Best Player nominations has sparked significant debate.Below, we address some frequently asked questions, providing clarity on the awards process and the factors that may influence the results.

What is the UNFP Best Player of the Season Award?

The UNFP (Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels) Best Player of the Season award is an annual accolade presented to the most outstanding player in Ligue 1,the top professional football league in France. The award recognizes individual excellence and significant contributions to a team’s success.

Who votes for the UNFP Awards?

The voting panel typically includes current Ligue 1 players, who cast their votes for the players they believe are the best in the league. Previous winners and certain football experts may also be involved in the selection process.

What criteria are used to evaluate players?

While no official, published criteria exist, several factors are considered. These include:

• Individual Statistics: goals scored, assists provided, tackles made, and other performance metrics are often scrutinized.
• Overall team Performance: Players on prosperous teams often receive more recognition.
• Impact on the Game: The player’s influence during matches,their leadership qualities,and their ability to change the course of a game are assessed.
• Media Perception: A player’s reputation and how they are perceived by the media may subtly influence voters.

Why were Greenwood and Rabiot omitted from the nominations?

The exact reasons remain unclear.Possible factors include, but are not limited to:

• Statistical Considerations: Even though Greenwood scored many goals, some voters may have considered other nominees’ cumulative statistics more extraordinary. Rabiot may not have scored as many goals as other midfielders.
• Bias or Preconceived Notions: Personal biases – like prior narratives or external factors unrelated to performance on the field – can subtly impact the voting process. Perhaps the controversy surrounding Greenwood’s past played a role, or Rabiot’s previous association with a rival club.
• Team Performance: While Marseille had a strong season, perhaps the voters considered it’s overall performance to be inferior to that of paris Saint-Germain, with more players from the league leaders being selected.

Ultimately, the omission remains a subjective decision by the voting body.

How significant are these awards?

Individual awards like the UNFP Best Player of the Season are significant for several reasons:

• Recognition: They acknowledge a player’s individual excellence and contributions.
• Prestige: They enhance a player’s reputation and increase their value in the football world.
• Team Morale: Individual awards can often reflect onto the team as a whole and contribute to a positive team habitat.

What does this mean for Marseille?

While the snub is a disappointment for De Zerbi and Marseille fans,it does not diminish the team’s overall accomplishments for the season. However, it does highlight the inherent subjectivity in individual awards and the importance of considering the full story, from individual statistics to team performance and the intangible qualities players bring to the game. Moving forward, Marseille will likely use this as motivation; while it is indeed a setback, they can use this snub as fuel for future accomplishments.

Keywords: UNFP Awards, Mason Greenwood, Adrien Rabiot, Olympique Marseille, Ligue 1, Roberto De Zerbi, Best Player, Football Awards, soccer, Statistics, Dembélé, Hakimi, Cherki, Vitinha