‘It was just business’ – why Adrien Rabiot left Manchester City to join PSG in tears
Adrien Rabiot (29) prepares to return to the Parc des Princes tonight when Paris Saint-Germain host Olympique de Marseille. It is expected that the former PSG midfielder will be the subject of a very hostile reception, given that he now plays for the arch-rivals, having come through Les Parisiens’ academy.
However, as L’Équipe have revealed, his attachment to PSG was “purely business”. It has always been rumoured that Rabiot was a Marseille fan growing up, which has been confirmed by Philippe Kontostavlos, a former recruiter at Manchester City, where Rabiot spent six months in the academy at the age of 13.
Kontostavlos has revealed that the France international left Manchester City in tears as he went to join PSG. The choice, he says, did not belong to the player, but to his mother, Véronique. “He was always an OM supporter growing up,” began Kontostavlos.
He added, “I’ll tell you the details of how he left City for PSG in tears. It was Véronique’s choice, not Adrien’s. Paris was a marriage of convenience, an opportunity given their current situation. It was just business, not love for the shirt. But Adrien was always professional and gave everything for PSG on the pitch but feelings can’t be controlled.”
Rabiot went on to make 227 appearances for PSG before departing for Juventus on a free transfer in 2019. He joined Marseille, also on a free transfer, in September. His deal runs until 2026 and talks over a renewal are expected to begin soon.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Topics
-
‘It doesn’t affect him’ – Valentin Rongier on Adrien Rabiot Parc des Princes return
It’s been one of the talking points of the upcoming Classique clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille on Sunday evening: Adrien Rabiot will make his return to the Parc des ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Marseille face up to gulf separating them from PSG in France
Marseille travel to Paris Saint-Germain this weekend for French football's biggest fixture, which threatens to remind them of the enormous gulf now separating the two great rivals.Key stats 0 - ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in Talks for PSG Target Expected to Leave Arsenal
Paris Saint-Germain have plenty of talent in their midfield, but they lack height in the position. Fabian Ruiz is the tallest at 6-foot-2 (1.89m), and beyond him, there aren’t many players close to ...Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Football Daily | PSG survive Anfield white-knuckle ride to show they are bottlers no more
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! . Following last week’s smash-and-grab victory by Liverpool at the Parc des Princes, Football Daily’s expected fun (xF) threshold going into ...The Guardian - 4d -
Unai Emery Uses Four Word Reaction on Returning to Paris for Aston Villa-PSG Tie
After defeating Liverpool 2-1 on Tuesday night at Anfield, Paris Saint-Germain now face another Premier League team, Aston Villa, with a spot in the semifinal at stake.PSG had to battle hard ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Will PSG tie provide Champions League redemption for Emery?
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will get a shot at redemption for the lowest point of his stellar European career when he faces former club Paris St-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final.BBC News - 3d -
Donnarumma denies Liverpool and Núñez to send PSG through on penalties
Luis Enrique exploded across the Anfield pitch when Désiré Doué struck the winning penalty and was still leaping on Paris Saint-Germain players and officials when they headed down the tunnel five ...The Guardian - 4d -
Why 'world class' Asensio can face employers PSG for Villa
Marco Asensio's Paris St-Germain career has been forgettable - but he now has the chance in the Champions League to make them remember his name.BBC News - 3d -
PSG's Kvaratskhelia: Anfield trip 'most important'
Paris Saint-Germain forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has described his team's visit to Anfield in the Champions League as the "most important" game of their season.ESPN - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Seahawks can escape Sam Darnold's deal after one year, $37.5 million
New deal protects Seattle against a regression by their new QB.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
LPGA pro Dani Holmgvist gets married at Mar-a-Lago, celebrates with Trump and Elon Musk
Who is Dani Holmqvist, the LPGA pro who got married at Mar-a-Lago, and celebrated with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk,Yahoo Sports - 13m -
New Rams 7-round mock draft starts defense-heavy
The Rams could fill depth across their defense to start the 2025 NFL Draft.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Cowboys announce $5M in performance-based bonuses; this unlikely player got biggest bump
Twelve Cowboys players will split over $5 million in snap-based bonus money. Some of the recipients are surprises; some have already left the team.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami: Time, TV, how to watch Messi play on Sunday Night Soccer
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will take on Atlanta United on Apple TV’s Sunday Night Soccer at 7 tonight. Here's what you need to know.Yahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Seahawks can escape Sam Darnold's deal after one year, $37.5 million
New deal protects Seattle against a regression by their new QB.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
LPGA pro Dani Holmgvist gets married at Mar-a-Lago, celebrates with Trump and Elon Musk
Who is Dani Holmqvist, the LPGA pro who got married at Mar-a-Lago, and celebrated with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk,Yahoo Sports - 13m -
New Rams 7-round mock draft starts defense-heavy
The Rams could fill depth across their defense to start the 2025 NFL Draft.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Cowboys announce $5M in performance-based bonuses; this unlikely player got biggest bump
Twelve Cowboys players will split over $5 million in snap-based bonus money. Some of the recipients are surprises; some have already left the team.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami: Time, TV, how to watch Messi play on Sunday Night Soccer
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will take on Atlanta United on Apple TV’s Sunday Night Soccer at 7 tonight. Here's what you need to know.Yahoo Sports - 17m