Tensions at Olympique de Marseille escalated ahead of their Ligue 1 clash against Montpellier HSC on Saturday, as the club’s passionate ultras unfurled a scathing banner targeting forwards Mason Greenwood and Luis Henrique. The banner, displayed prominently in the north bend of the Orange Velodrome, read: “Greenwood, Henrique, bougez vous!”—a French phrase translating to “Greenwood, Henrique, get moving!” The message, widely interpreted as a demand for the duo to leave the club, reflects growing frustration among fans amid Marseille’s faltering campaign.
The provocative display comes at a turbulent time for Marseille, who have slipped to third in Ligue 1 after a run of five defeats in their last seven matches, jeopardling fears of missing out on Champions League qualification. Both Greenwood, 23, and Henrique, also 23, have been under scrutiny for their recent performances, with fans and local media questioning their commitment and work rate. Greenwood, the former Manchester United star, was restored to the starting lineup after being dropped by manager Roberto De Zerbi, who had previously expressed concerns over the Englishman’s effort. Similarly, Henrique, a versatile Brazilian winger, has struggled to consistently impress despite interest from clubs like Inter Milan and Manchester United.
The banner incident, captured and shared widely on social media, sparked immediate reactions. Posts on X from accounts like
@MassiliaZone
and
@GFFN
highlighted the ultras’ blunt message, with some users speculating that Greenwood’s time at Marseille could be nearing an end. “They’re tired of Greenwood already!!! This is faster than I thought,” wrote user
@UtdEmrys
, reflecting a sentiment of shock among observers.
Greenwood, however, responded defiantly on the pitch. In Marseille’s 5-1 rout of Montpellier, the forward scored twice, silencing critics temporarily and proving his value to the team. His performance was a direct riposte to the ultras’ demands, though it remains unclear whether it will quell the unrest among the fanbase. Henrique, meanwhile, also featured in the match, but his contribution was less pronounced, further fueling speculation about his future.
Behind the scenes, Marseille’s camp has been rife with reported tensions. Recent rumors suggested that senior players Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Adrien Rabiot approached the club’s director of football, Medhi Benatia, to demand the removal of both Greenwood and Henrique from the squad, citing frustrations over their attitudes. Benatia swiftly denied these claims, stating, “At no point did they come to see me to dismiss Luis Henrique or Greenwood,” and emphasized the players’ commitment to securing Champions League qualification.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi has also faced criticism for Marseille’s dip in form, with former star Christophe Dugarry accusing him of “failing to find solutions.” Greenwood’s recent performances, including a 1/10 rating from local outlet La Provence in a 3-0 loss to Monaco, have only amplified the narrative of an “amateurish attitude” within the squad, as reported by some outlets.
The ultras’ banner is the latest chapter in a saga that has seen Greenwood’s tenure at Marseille oscillate between promise and controversy. Having joined from Manchester United for £25 million last summer, Greenwood has notched an impressive 17 goals across all competitions this season, but his off-field history and perceived lack of effort have kept him under intense scrutiny. Henrique, meanwhile, appears closer to an exit, with reports confirming he has agreed to join Inter Milan in the summer, though negotiations with Marseille are ongoing.