Olympique de Marseille’s return to first-team training was not understated. An impressive 20,000 people, including 12,000 children were present at the Vélodrome on Friday to welcome the players back after the winter break.
Since a draw against Montpellier HSC on 20th December, Marseille, like all other Ligue 1 sides, have been on a winter break. However, the squad’s return to first-team training was held at the Vélodrome and in front of a substantial crowd. Children could sign up for free for the event, which fits in with a wider desire for the club to make their stars more accessible, especially to young fans.
10,000 children signed up on the first day of tickets becoming available with all tickets for the 20,000-capacity event being sold out in a matter of days. “Football belongs to children because their dream is to play football and I don’t think there is anything more beautiful than admiring your idols at training,” began manager Gennaro Gattuso, reacting to the day’s event.
‘Being a Marseille supporter is handed down from father to child’ – Gattuso
“To see so many children today, with this passion and desire, takes us back to our childhood. It i a real source of pride and it gives us a lot of strength going forward.”
The Italian added, “There are places in the world where, when a child is born, the club goes straight into their heart and Marseille definitely falls into that category. Being a Marseille supporter is handed down from father to child so I’m not surprised and I am very happy to see so many children supporting us at training.”
OM return to action when they face Thionvill Lusitanos in the Coupe de France Round of 64 on Sunday 7th January. Their first Ligue 1 match will come against RC Strasbourg Alsace at the Vélodrome on Friday 12th January.
