Mason Greenwood Has Potential To Win Ballon D'Or, According To Coach De Zerbi

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Marseille's head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, has expressed high hopes for Mason Greenwood, suggesting he could one day secure the Ballon d'Or. Greenwood has made an impressive start to the 2025-26 season, leading Ligue 1 with 10 goals and contributing three assists. Marseille currently holds third place in the league standings.

Greenwood's performance extends beyond domestic matches. In the Champions League this season, he has netted three goals in six appearances. Notably, he scored twice in a recent 3-2 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise. Last season, no player surpassed his goal tally in France's top division, with Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele also scoring 21 times.

De Zerbi is confident that Greenwood can reach the pinnacle of football. However, he acknowledges there is room for improvement. "I see him every day; he has a huge potential," De Zerbi stated during a news conference. "I don't see any other players in Europe at the same level."

The coach believes Greenwood possesses the natural talent necessary to win prestigious awards like the Ballon d'Or. Yet, it ultimately depends on Greenwood's determination to strive for such accolades. "He has the potential to win the Ballon d'Or," De Zerbi remarked. "It will be up to him to decide whether he wants to do everything he can to fight for it or not."

De Zerbi highlighted areas where Greenwood could enhance his game. He mentioned that consistency is crucial and urged Greenwood to press more intensely and manage possession better during challenging moments. "I would like him to be more consistent," De Zerbi noted.

The coach emphasised that holding onto the ball when under pressure is vital for team advancement. "He needs to manage the ball better when the team is in trouble," De Zerbi explained, adding that Greenwood should avoid losing possession easily.

De Zerbi aims to leave Marseille in a stronger position than when he arrived and expects Greenwood to evolve into a better player under his guidance. "Greenwood must be better than the Greenwood I took at the beginning," De Zerbi concluded.