French midfielder Adrien Rabiot has revealed that former Super Eagles defender Taiye Taiwo was one of the players who inspired him as a kid.
Rabiot, who recently joined Marseille on a free transfer from Juventus, claimed his childhood affection for the former left-back played a key role in his decision to join the club.
“When I was younger, I loved watching Marseille play,” Rabiot said at his unveiling ceremony, as quoted by DAILY Star.
“It was the era of players like Niang and especially Taye Taiwo. I admired his strength, his presence on the pitch, and his ability to score incredible goals from the left-back position.
“Watching him and others made me dream of one day wearing the same shirt.”
Rabiot was in the news during the Euro 2024, where he called out fellow teammates Antoinne Greizman and Kylian Mbappe for their below par performances in the competition.
Taiye Taiwo’s club career
Taiye Taiwo, known for his power strikes, donned the Marseille jersey from 2005-2011, according to Wikipedia, during which he won one Ligue 1 title, two Coupe de la Ligue trophies, one Trophée des Champions, and one UEFA Intertoto Cup.
The defender then moved to Italian side AC Milan in 2011, before making a loan move to English side Queens Park Rangers after failing to break into Massimiliano Allegri’s starting eleven.
Taiye Taiwo also had spells at Dynamo Kiev, Bursaspor, HJK Helsinki, Lausanne, AFC Eskilstuna, RoPS, Doxa Katokopias, Palm Beach Stars, Sant’Angelo, and SalPa before retiring in 2022.
