Mehdi Benatia joins Canal+ as football consultant

Mehdi Benatia has officially begun a new chapter outside Olympique de Marseille, joining Canal+ as a football consultant. The move follows his time as the club’s football director and places the former Morocco international back in a media role rather than in another sporting management position.

Canal+ confirmed Benatia’s arrival while presenting its on-air team at a rentrée event held on the broadcaster’s new Michel Platini set. He will contribute his football expertise and outspoken analysis across the group’s channels. His appointment also makes clear that the possibility of a return to Paris Saint-Germain is not part of this change: Benatia is joining the media group, not the capital club.

The role is familiar to the former central defender. Before taking up his position at Marseille, Benatia had already worked as a consultant for beIN SPORTS. His time at OM was marked by forthright public statements, a style that is likely to remain central to his television work. Canal+ is therefore adding an experienced former player and executive whose interventions have often attracted attention.

Benatia’s appointment is part of a wider Moroccan presence in Canal+’s new football team. Walid Regragui has also been announced as a new addition to the broadcaster’s lineup. For Benatia, the move keeps him close to the sport after leaving Marseille while giving him a platform to offer analysis rather than oversee a club’s football operations.