Leonardo Balerdi recalls a moment that perfectly captures life in Marseille. A police van, sirens wailing, pulled up beside his car. Instead of an emergency, four officers jumped out, chanting the club’s anthem before driving off. “That’s when I knew I was home,” he says with a laugh. This city lives for its football club, a passion that can be both inspiring and overwhelming—a force the Argentine defender has experienced firsthand.
His introduction to Marseille was far from smooth. After errors in key defeats, a fan staged a hunger strike outside the training ground, protesting his place in the team. “Those early years were a massive mental test,” the 26-year-old reflects. “I learned not to let external noise affect my game.”
Arriving in 2021 with just a handful of senior appearances for Boca Juniors and Borussia Dortmund, Balerdi faced immense pressure. “I lacked confidence and top-level experience. At a club this size, results are demanded instantly—that’s the reality.”
His initial seasons were a difficult adjustment, marked by bookings, mistakes, and a persistent shoulder issue. A turning point came under manager Igor Tudor. “He showed great faith in me and changed my mindset,” Balerdi notes. Following Tudor’s departure, a period of managerial instability saw the team lean heavily on the defender’s growing influence. “By then, I understood what representing this club required. My role was to provide stability and assurance to my teammates.”
Appointed captain, Balerdi adopted a leadership style shaped by his own experiences. “I focus on one-on-one communication, building players up. Having needed that support myself, I know its value.”
The arrival of Roberto De Zerbi marked another evolution. After facing his Brighton side in Europe, Balerdi was struck by the Italian’s immediate outreach upon taking the Marseille job. “His message resonated deeply. I knew this would be different.” De Zerbi’s system demands defenders who operate like midfielders, constantly seeking space and playing under pressure. “He asks for things no other coach has. We’re trained to invite pressure and exploit it.”
This philosophy aligns with Marseille’s intense football culture, which was tested after a dramatic opening-day loss this season. A dressing-room incident led to the departure of two players. “It was tough—they were friends, not just teammates. But in an environment of high ambition, these things happen. We took responsibility, new signings integrated quickly, and our season truly began.”
The defensive additions of Facundo Medina, Benjamin Pavard, and others have solidified the backline. “There’s an immediate understanding. We cover for each other,” says Balerdi, who played a key role in welcoming Pavard. Following that initial setback, Marseille embarked on a strong run, including a first home league victory over PSG in 14 years, propelling them to second in Ligue 1.
Currently recovering from a calf injury, Balerdi is targeting a return for the crucial Champions League match against Newcastle. Beyond club ambitions, a larger goal drives him: securing a place in Argentina’s World Cup squad. “My objective is to be there. Winning something with the national team would be a dream,” he states. He has a long-standing relationship with coach Lionel Scaloni, describing him as “calm and precise.”
The competition for central defensive roles is fierce, but Balerdi’s consistent performances have put him in contention. Discussion of the national team inevitably turns to Lionel Messi, whom he faced in Le Classique. “Before the 2022 World Cup, my friends all messaged, ‘Don’t injure Messi!'” he recalls. “Facing him was special, but he was the opponent—I wanted to win. He’s a once-in-a-generation player who embodies Argentine football.”
The prospect of sharing a dressing room with Messi at the World Cup brings a smile, but Balerdi quickly refocuses. “I have to stay present, otherwise my head would spin.” For now, his world is Marseille, the next match, and the quiet confidence forged in this city’s fiery crucible.
