U.S. men’s national team standout Tim Weah has revealed that he felt like a “damaged player” when he arrived at Marseille in 2025, admitting that even “getting out of bed in the morning” was a struggle during a difficult period with Serie A powerhouse Juventus. The American international, son of Ballon d’Or winner and AC Milan icon George Weah, now believes he has discovered a true home in France where he can finally settle and rebuild his career.
How Weah ended up in Marseille
Weah completed a move to Turin in the summer of 2023, with Juventus paying just over €10 million (£9m/$12m) to secure his services. His adaptability was heavily relied upon in Italy, as the Bianconeri deployed him in several different roles, but consistent starting opportunities proved hard to come by.
A return to Ligue 1 became an attractive option for the former Paris Saint-Germain and Lille winger in 2025. Marseille initially brought him in on loan, with a mandatory purchase clause of around €18 million (£16m/$21m) set to be activated during the next transfer window.
Weah was left ‘broken’ at Serie A giants Juventus
Weah admits he is relieved to have moved on from Juventus, where he never truly felt at ease and struggled to find motivation. Speaking to journalists in France, he explained how he embraced a new beginning: “When I came here, they welcomed a player who wasn’t in a good place mentally and lacked confidence. Waking up in the morning and going to training was hard because nothing was working for me. They took a chance on me.”
The 25-year-old now says he feels “almost like a Marseillais,” having quickly earned the affection of the club’s supporters. He is also enjoying working with Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi, whose enthusiasm convinced him to make the move.
The New York-born forward recalled: “The coach really trusted me. He called me at four in the morning on FaceTime while I was still in my pajamas. He was smoking and told me, ‘Tim, you have to come here. You’ll see, this will be your home.’ When I arrived at the airport, I was welcomed as if I truly belonged.”
After making 28 appearances for Marseille — including a historic match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Champions League — Weah says he now hopes “to stay here for a long time, if possible.”
USA star feeling settled in current surroundings
Weah previously told *Le Dauphine Libere* that he has adapted well to life on the Mediterranean coast: “I keep myself in my own bubble, but it’s also exciting and an honour. Playing every match in a packed stadium with fans shouting your name is special. There are very few stadiums like this in the world.”
“I really want to succeed here. In France, all the other clubs and fans are against OM. Everywhere we go, we’re the opposition — and I like that feeling of standing alone against everyone.”
Being back in France has also allowed Weah to make regular trips to Paris, where he came through the PSG academy. Reflecting on those visits, he said: “It’s funny — I see more OM supporters than PSG supporters in Paris. Every time I go back to see friends, I meet Marseille fans. That really surprised me. It’s amazing. We’re everywhere!”
Weah hoping to help Marseille back into the Champions League
Weah maintains that Marseille were the only club he truly felt connected to after attracting interest from teams across Europe, including Premier League sides. A move back to France simply felt right.
He explained: “There were other options, but once Marseille called, there was no doubt. For me, it was the perfect choice. There’s competition here, and we know how passionate the stadium and fans are.”
His decision was also praised in the United States, with USMNT legend Alexi Lalas saying at the time of the transfer: “I think this is a smart move for Tim Weah. He and his agent handled this well by choosing a club where he can play regularly and feel comfortable.”
Weah has backed that up with performances, recording three goals and four assists so far this season. He is now focused on helping Marseille secure a return to the Champions League next year, with a high-profile clash against PSG coming up next for De Zerbi’s team.
