Marseille President Consulted With His Mother Before Signing Mason Greenwood

From Manchester scapegoat to Marseille royalty. Pablo Longoria breaks his silence on how the opinion of his mother—an expert in the prison system—was the final piece of the puzzle in signing Mason Greenwood. With 20 goals this season, the Englishman is back on the radar of Europe’s elite

In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, Pablo Longoria confessed that before finalizing the signing of the former Manchester United forward, he sought an opinion outside the world of football. Longoria consulted his mother, Begoña, who worked within the Spanish prison system and was decorated for her service.

I asked her: 'What would you do in my position?' and with all the information on the table, she told me: 'Do it,'" Longoria revealed. For the president, it was vital to have the perspective of someone who wouldn't be blinded by sporting talent, but would instead evaluate the human factor. "Mason is a good kid, seriously. Since I made the decision, I sleep soundly at night.

An Undisputed Sporting Success

Despite the initial media storm surrounding the allegations Greenwood faced in 2023 (charges that were subsequently dropped), his performance in France has been clinical:

Golden Boot: In his debut season, he shared the Ligue 1 top scorer award with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Ousmane Dembélé.
Current Season: He has tallied 20 goals in 28 appearances, once again leading the scoring charts in France.
Market Value: The £27 million paid to United now looks like a bargain for a player Longoria defines as 'one of the best in the world

A Multi-Million Euro Sale in 2026?

With a contract running until 2029, the looming question is how long Marseille can hold onto their prize asset. Europe’s elite clubs are already circling. However, there is a crucial financial detail: Manchester United holds a 50% sell-on clause on any future transfer, though rumors suggest Marseille will attempt to renegotiate that percentage ahead of the 2026 summer window

"Longoria admits that the financial situation of French football is challenging, but he hopes Greenwood continues to grow at the Stade Vélodrome. 'I expect him to keep improving every day. I would like to help him become better,' the executive concluded