Mason Greenwood’s pursuit of Didier Drogba’s goalscoring mark at Marseille has hit a setback after Ligue 1 officials retroactively ruled his latest strike to be an own goal. The former Manchester United forward, who initially appeared to match Drogba’s 19-goal tally for the club, now sits one short with three games remaining.
Greenwood’s effort in Marseille’s 4-1 win over Brest was officially credited to Brest defender Brendan Chardonnet due to a decisive deflection, erasing the goal from the 23-year-old’s season total. The Professional Football League (LFP) confirmed the change days after the match, leaving Greenwood needing another goal to equal Drogba’s single-season record set over two decades ago.
Despite a strong start with 16 goals and three assists in 27 appearances, Greenwood’s Marseille stint has been turbulent. Manager Roberto De Zerbi has publicly criticized his “nonchalance,” “lack of effort,” and inconsistency, dropping him from the starting XI in March due to concerns over his work rate and attitude. French outlet L’Équipe previously lambasted a substitute performance as “unrecognisable,” awarding him a 2/10 rating.
While acknowledging Greenwood’s potential, De Zerbi has emphasized the need for greater commitment: “He has to do more… sacrifice more and be more determined if he wants to become a champion”. The forward’s rare display of intense work rate in training ahead of a recent match drew praise, but De Zerbi stressed it was an exception rather than the norm.
Greenwood’s £26.7m move to Marseille followed Manchester United’s decision to sever ties after charges of attempted rape and assault were dropped in 2023^Original. His performances have polarized opinion, with fans unveiling critical banners urging him to “get a move on” during a match against Montpellier.
With three games left, Greenwood has a narrow window to equal Drogba’s record. However, his future at Marseille remains uncertain amid reported friction with staff and questions about his fit in De Zerbi’s possession-focused system.