Ismaël Bennacer: Press conference

Press conference replay on Twitch

Fabrizio Ravanelli: "We have a lot of faith in him"

Hello everyone. We'd like to introduce OM's latest recruit, Ismaël Bennacer, a 27-year-old Algerian international. He played for Empoli and AC Milan, where he showed what he's capable of. He has a strong mentality, because it's not easy to win at Milan. He has played in the Champions League and for the national team, and won the CAN in 2019. He's good at recovering the ball and passing it around. We have a lot of faith in him on the pitch and in the dressing room. We talked a lot yesterday in the traffic jams between the airport and Commanderie, and I was touched by his mentality. I'm really proud to have a player like that. Welcome Ismaël!

Ismaël Bennacer: "Here to perform and win"

It was an emotional day, and I was touched and delighted. It was even too much. It's the mentality of this club, the supporters make you want to do great things. They proved that to me yesterday.

I was an OM fan when I was a kid. The project is interesting for me. I'd already been in contact this summer with Medhi Benatia, but it didn't happen at the last second. I've always had the idea of playing for OM in the back of my mind.

There are some very good players in the middle of the team. The coach spoke to me about his project and his philosophy. We didn't go into detail. He's a coach I've always liked. I wanted to play under him in my career. That's happening here and it's wonderful.

No, it's not to prepare for the African Cup of Nations. OM are going to help me perform for the national team. One thing at a time. I'm delighted to be selected. We know the links between Marseille and Algeria and Africa in general.

There was no contact until 2024. This summer, I was coming back from a serious injury and I wanted to concentrate on my comeback. There was a new coach, the club was counting on me and that's simply why it didn't happen.

Health-wise, I'm doing very well. I had a serious injury in September and I came back a month ago. I'm 100% and ready to give it my all. I may not have 90 minutes in my legs but I'm going to train and I'll be in the group on Sunday. I'm here to perform and win.

Of course, I've already won. If I can bring that experience to the table. I'm here for clear medium-term objectives. It's not about finishing 2nd or 3rd. Paris is a good team but we're building something new and clear. The objectives are clear and it will be even more beautiful when they are achieved.

It's not that Milan didn't want me any more. I told the management that I wanted to go to OM.

I'm very clear with my work and those around me. I make sacrifices. I'm rigorous, serious and ambitious. Seeing my parents will do me good. I'm focused on my goals.

I started at Arles. There were some players injured in the first team, and I was 16. The assistant coach called me up. I played in a friendly for 15 minutes. I caught the eye. I gave it my all. Then I played in the French Cup and after that I played in the French Cup. Before I went to Arsenal, Bielsa wanted me here. I went to Arsenal to finish my team. Then I went to Empoli.

It's important to get to know the players in the squad to help them integrate. I know Amine Gouiri from the national team, he's a good lad and a good player. I know other players and I hope my integration will go as smoothly as possible.

I have a memory of the stadium. When I was 8 or 9, I saw OM-Nantes with a friend and his father. Otherwise, I used to watch OM on TV with my father. It's always been exceptional here. I played a friendly against OM here and that was already exceptional.

It wasn't necessarily my choice. So much the better. I made my choice based on the project, the club and the coach. In terms of pressure, Algeria and OM are not bad.

The coach is looking for the type of player I am: possession, winning the ball and keeping it. That's not really how I played at Milan. I made my choice based on the coach and Medhi. He was able to convince me even though I really wanted to.

I hope that bigger players will come because OM is a great team. I don't consider myself a great player, but we have a great team. We're concentrating with the current players.

I know Medhi Benatia personally and I like him. He works very well. He was more than important in bringing me here. He explained the project to me, the current changes. He's looking to optimise the club. He's the right person for this club.