16 Facts About Medhi Benatia

Medhi Benatia began his career at Marseille, being loaned out to Tours and Lorient before joining Clermont in 2008.

Medhi Benatia then chose to represent his father's Morocco at under-20 level, making his senior international debut in 2008.

Medhi Benatia represented Morocco at four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

In 2019, Medhi Benatia announced his retirement from international football, having earned 66 caps.

Medhi Benatia was born in Courcouronnes, France, to a Moroccan father and an Algerian mother.

Medhi Benatia joined Marseille in 2003, and signed his first professional contract with them two years later.

On 1 July 2010, Medhi Benatia signed for Serie A club Udinese, again on a free transfer.

Medhi Benatia made 80 league appearances for Udinese, scoring six goals.

Medhi Benatia admitted he was disappointed to leave Roma but was told he had to go because the club needed the money.

In May 2017, Medhi Benatia walked out of an interview with television channel RAI Due when he heard racist abuse towards him in his earpiece.

Medhi Benatia said after the game that Oliver's call made him "more and more disgusted by the world of football".

Medhi Benatia made six league appearances before retiring from professional football on 9 December 2021.

Medhi Benatia was part of their squad at the final tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, and played in their first two matches of an eventual group stage exit, defeats to Tunisia and Gabon.

Medhi Benatia called it "the most beautiful moment of my career".

Medhi Benatia retired from international duty in October 2019, having played at the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

On 30 November 2023, almost two years after retiring as a footballer, Medhi Benatia was appointed as sporting director of Marseille, his first professional club.