This afternoon, the Olympique de Marseille will host Aston Villa for a friendly match at the Vélodrome, an event of particular significance due to the presence of several former Marseille players. Among them, Boubacar Kamara, midfielder of Aston Villa, whose return arouses a mixture of emotions and discussions among supporters. This friendly meeting is thus seen as an opportunity to find familiar figures and to relive moments spent in the club.

Prior to this meeting, Maxime Lopez, also a former OM player, took the defense of Kamara on social networks. Responding to a comment about his own future return to OM, Lopez took the opportunity to ease the tensions surrounding Kamara’s departure. Lopez pointed out that Kamara’s decision to join Aston Villa in 2022, as a free player, was part of the reality of modern football, although some supporters expressed their disappointment that they had not received a transfer payment.

The reception that Kamara will receive from the Marseille public remains uncertain. The French international, now a key player of Aston Villa, could be confronted with a mixed welcome, being perceived by some as a player who left the club without farewell. This match represents a potentially emotional moment, when the past and present of Marseille football meet on the lawn of the Velodrome.