When Mom Said Yes: Marseille's Surprising Greenwood Signing Story
26 January 2026
Behind the Greenwood Move
Marseille president Pablo Longoria lifts the curtain on the deal that brought Mason Greenwood from Manchester United in 2024, saying he sought consent from his own mother before finalizing the agreement.
Greenwood, once heralded as a rising English talent, faced a January 2022 suspension after an arrest related to alleged rape and coercive behavior. In February 2023, prosecutors dropped the criminal charges after key witnesses withdrew from the case.
He did not feature for United again, spending a season on loan at Getafe in Spain before a permanent move to Marseille in 2024, where he has since scored 33 goals in 54 appearances.
Longoria noted he discussed the move with his mother before giving the green light, stressing that the decision was made with care and with a perspective beyond the pitch.
“For me, it’s important to speak openly about this signing because life isn’t about hiding every decision behind a filter,” Longoria told The Telegraph. “From a sporting standpoint, it was a massive opportunity and we analyzed the facts very carefully.”
He added: “After completing the necessary checks and gathering all the information, I called my mother and asked for her view.”
Longoria explained that his mother — who had worked in the Spanish prison system and was honored with a state decoration — advised considering all information before deciding. “Her answer was: go for it,” he said, underscoring that her advice came from a non‑biased viewpoint aiming at his son’s best interests.
“It was crucial that she said ‘go for it’ with full knowledge of the situation,” he concluded.
As for the broader rationale, Longoria stressed that the deal represented a huge sporting opportunity and that Marseille conducted a thorough, careful review before proceeding.
“From our side, it was a massive transfer opportunity in the market, evaluated with extreme care,” he explained, noting that the information at hand and the checks done were central to the decision.
He also reaffirmed that his mother’s stance carried substantial weight: “After reviewing everything, I asked for her perspective, given her experience and insight.”
Longoria added that his mother’s background — her career in the Spanish prison system and the honor she received — gave her a balanced, non‑sporting viewpoint on the matter. “Her guidance was decisive because it came from a person who acts in the best interests of her family, not a club president’s agenda.”
In closing, Longoria stressed the importance of transparent decision‑making and the confidence gained from informed counsel. “It was vital that she said ‘do it’ with full knowledge of the information available.”
Punchlines: If mom’s approval is the final say, even the VAR would hesitate before overturning it. And in football and life, sometimes the sharpest shot comes from a crosshair of common sense and a well-timed “go for it.”
