May 18, 2025: Mason Greenwood has etched his name into Olympique de Marseille’s history books by surpassing Chelsea legend Didier Drogba’s debut season goal record in Ligue 1. The 23-year-old forward concluded an extraordinary maiden campaign in France with a brace in Marseille’s 4-2 win over Rennes, bringing his total to 21 league goals.
This remarkable tally not only dazzled fans at the Stade Vélodrome but also broke the record for the most goals scored in a debut season for Marseille in the 21st century. Greenwood overtook Bafetimbi Gomis (20 goals in 2016–17) and Didier Drogba (19 goals in 2003–04), both revered for their stints at the French club.
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Greenwood ended the Ligue 1 season as the joint-top scorer alongside Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé. However, Dembélé was officially awarded the Golden Boot due to having scored fewer penalties—just one compared to Greenwood’s seven from the spot.
Historically, Greenwood’s debut season stands second only to Alen Bokšić, who netted 22 goals for Marseille during the 1992–93 campaign, before the turn of the century.
Marseille’s strong finish secured second place in Ligue 1 and a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League. Reflecting on the season, head coach Roberto De Zerbi expressed a strong desire to stay with the club.
“When I was 14, I was at the AC Milan training centre and a coach told me to follow OM because of Chris Waddle,” De Zerbi said via the club’s official website. “The desire to stay is there, 100 percent. It’s been a difficult season, but we’ve come a long way. I’m not in talks with any other club. We’re second in the league, we’ve reached the Champions League, and now we must decide on the future.”
Greenwood’s record-breaking form and De Zerbi’s commitment to Marseille have set the stage for an exciting 2025–26 season.