USA's Tim Weah: Marseille Was 'Perfect' Move After Juventus Struggles

United States Men’s National Team winger Timothy Weah revealed his emotional struggles at Juventus during a press conference in Marseille this week, explaining that his 2025 transfer to Olympique de Marseille saved his career after he became a "broken player" in Italy. The 25-year-old New York native moved to the French giants on an initial loan with an obligation to buy for €18 million, seeking to escape a period of stagnation and mental fatigue in Serie A where he struggled to find consistent playing time and motivation. Weah credited the aggressive recruitment style of Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi for convincing him to return to Ligue 1, where he previously won titles with Paris Saint-Germain and Lille. During the candid media session, Weah detailed the depths of his professional unhappiness in Turin, noting that simply waking up in the morning and attending training sessions had become a significant challenge. Despite Juventus paying €10 million for his services in 2023, the son of AC Milan legend George Weah felt his versatility was exploited rather than rewarded, leading to a loss of confidence and a lack of identity on the pitch. He characterized the move to the Stade Vélodrome as a leap of faith by the French club, who took a chance on a player who felt mentally and competitively depleted. The transition to Marseille has proven transformative for the American international, who has already made 28 appearances for the club. Weah highlighted a late-night FaceTime call from De Zerbi—who was famously smoking in his pajamas during the conversation—as the turning point that made him feel truly wanted. Now fully integrated into the squad and embraced by the local fanbase, Weah claims to finally feel at home, shedding the pressures of his Italian tenure to become a key fixture in Marseille’s attacking system under the Italian coach’s guidance.