Facundo Medina

Facundo Medina did not arrive in Marseille by chance. Arriving from Lens via a loan with a significant purchase option of 18 million euros, he is the big signing of the summer. His journey commands respect: coming from a tough neighborhood in Buenos Aires, trained at River Plate, he made a breakthrough at Lens to become an Argentine international. He is a player with tenacity, who knows where he comes from and who will never give up. A profile tailor-made for Marseille. 

His style is a left-footed copy of Balerdi's. He is the quintessential modern defender, capable of playing in the center or on the left, and who defends by moving forward. His statistics at Lens place him among the best defenders in Europe for progressive passes and shot-creating actions. He is here to build, not just to destroy. But like his compatriot, he has a fiery temperament. His disciplinary record at Lens last season was quite full, with 4 suspensions, and his aerial game is an identified weakness. Medina's arrival is a strong message from the management and the coach: they will not deviate from De Zerbi's philosophy. Instead of looking for a different profile to balance the defense, the club chose to "double down" by recruiting a left-footed mirror of Balerdi. It's the creation of a hinge of interchangeable "quarterbacks," a statement that success will come through total mastery of this high-risk system. 

How can one not think of Gabriel Heinze when watching him play? The same determination, the same versatility, the same Argentine leadership. The burning question on every fan's lips is: how will two volcanoes like Balerdi and Medina coexist? Can they form a complementary pair or is it a direct competition? This season, Medina is expected to assert himself immediately. He was recruited to bring his quality and intensity. He will need to channel his aggression for the European battles, but one thing is certain: with him on the field, no one can accuse OM of lacking character.