Mehdi Benatia, the sporting director for Olympique Marseille and a former Roma defender, has voiced his astonishment regarding the limited game time afforded to midfielder Neil El Aynaoui at Roma. Benatia also disclosed that he had attempted to recruit El Aynaoui for Marseille before Roma secured his signature.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport in a comprehensive interview that covered Italian football and his former club, Benatia spoke highly of his compatriot.
“He is very talented, combining both skill and work ethic,” Benatia commented on El Aynaoui, with his remarks reported by TuttoMercatoWeb. “I couldn’t understand why he played less at Roma than I anticipated. I had tried to sign him for my Marseille, but his transfer fee was too high.”
Despite Benatia’s surprise, the Moroccan international was a regular feature for Roma this season, participating in 34 matches and contributing two goals and two assists throughout the campaign.
Former Roma Player Benatia Shares His Thoughts on Italy’s World Cup Absence
Benatia, who enjoyed several years playing in Serie A, also shared his perspective on Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“It’s a significant setback. Italy holds a special place in my heart; it gave me everything,” he stated. “Unfortunately, the reality is that Italy’s top attackers are outshone by the reserve players in France’s attacking lineup. I sincerely hope Italy can find a way to improve quickly.”
This candid assessment from a player who established his career in Italian football underscores the broader introspection occurring within the Italian national team as they face another major tournament absence.
