Adrien Rabiot took a jab at Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi on social media. The Olympique Marseille midfielder was subjected to harsh insults from the home crowd at the Parc des Princes on Sunday, as he now plays for L'OM despite his past in Paris. "Class cannot be bought," Rabiot directed at the president.
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The Paris Saint-Germain stadium was the scene of a barrage of insults directed at Adrien Rabiot on Sunday, overshadowing much of the on-field action.
The French midfielder, who played for PSG from 2012 to 2019, returned to the Parc des Princes in the colors of Olympique Marseille, their bitter rivals. His decision to join OM after a stint with Juventus has made him a controversial figure among PSG supporters, many of whom have not forgiven what they see as a betrayal.
From the moment Rabiot stepped onto the pitch, it was clear that he was not welcome. The hostility began with whistles and jeers whenever he touched the ball, a common reaction for former players who return as opponents. However, as the match progressed, the animosity escalated dramatically. Chants turned personal, and banners appeared in the stands carrying offensive messages aimed not only at Rabiot but also at his family. One of the most shocking aspects of the evening was the nature of these banners. One referenced Rabiot’s late father, Michel Provost, who suffered a stroke in 2007 that left him completely paralyzed and later passed away in 2019. Another banner targeted Véronique Rabiot, his mother and agent, who has often been a controversial figure in football circles due to her strong involvement in her son's career.
During the match, PSG defeated Olympique Marseille 3-1, with goals from Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Vitinha securing the victory. Despite the home team’s success on the pitch, much of the focus remained on the treatment of Rabiot. The insults directed at him reached a point where even some PSG fans and neutral observers found them excessive. The tension in the stadium highlighted the deep resentment many PSG supporters still feel toward their former player, seeing his move to Marseille as an unforgivable act.
After the match, Rabiot took to Instagram to respond to the insults in a strongly worded message. "A mother being insulted, and a deceased father…" he wrote. "One day, you will have to pay for everything. You don’t take this to heaven, believe me. Nasser (Al-Khelaïfi), you can have all the money in the world and even more, but class cannot be bought." His words were clearly directed at PSG’s president, whom Rabiot seemingly holds responsible for the toxic culture among some sections of the club’s fanbase. His statement resonated across social media, with many debating whether the reaction from the PSG supporters was justified or had gone too far.
The controversy surrounding Rabiot’s return to the Parc des Princes reignited discussions about the nature of rivalries in French football. While hostility between PSG and Marseille is nothing new, the level of personal attacks in this match raised questions about the limits of fan behavior. Some commentators pointed out that rivalries should remain within the boundaries of football and not extend to deeply personal insults, especially those targeting family members. Others argued that Rabiot, having played for PSG for several years, should have expected such a reaction when he chose to join their fiercest rivals.
Meanwhile, PSG coach Luis Enrique and OM coach Roberto De Zerbi also commented on the nature of the fixture. De Zerbi stated that Le Classique, once considered the biggest game in French football, no longer holds the same prestige due to PSG’s dominance in recent years. In response, Luis Enrique defended the significance of the match, arguing that the passion and intensity of the encounter still make it one of the most important fixtures in Ligue 1.
As the dust settles on another heated edition of Le Classique, the events at the Parc des Princes have left a lasting impact. Rabiot’s return to Paris was never going to be a quiet affair, but the extreme hostility he faced has sparked a wider debate about respect in football. Whether this rivalry will continue to produce such intense animosity remains to be seen, but for Rabiot, this visit to his former home was a clear reminder that in football, some betrayals are never forgiven.
