Arthur Vermeeren: Meet the Young Belgian Playing a star role for Marseille
With Olympique de Marseille in top form with three wins to end 2025, we take a closer look at the club's Belgian midfielder Arthur Vermeeren in our latest One to Watch.
Mixed messages from De Zerbi
Despite Vermeeren having started six of OM's last seven matches before today's Coupe de France game, coach Roberto de Zerbi has offered mixed signals on the 20-year-old, alternating between compliments and criticism and sometimes dropping him.
On the pitch, he has often looked very good, such as in the 4-0 victory against Ajax Amsterdam, sometimes more average, like a midfielder who hasn't quite found his rhythm yet, and occasionally struggling, especially against Angers. At his best he is active, comfortable on the ball, and courageous in his attacking play, which is exactly what De Zerbi demands of all his players.
An eye towards Iniesta
“My strengths are my vision for the game -- my understanding and reading of the match. I'm very calm and confident on the ball, and I can also win back possession. If I had to name an inspiration, it would be Iniesta. I think I have a similar style, and watching him play was magnificent," said Vermeeren of himself during his introductory press conference.
But when matches don't go so well, he has also been seen struggling, falling behind, sometimes being outmuscled in challenges or giving the ball away too often. The overall picture can be difficult to interpret, and the messages sent by De Zerbi are not easy to decipher, oscillating between strong praise and unambiguous criticism.
“He is very young, he has already played for Atlético and Leipzig (who loaned him to Marseille). Everyone knows his qualities. But to face Atalanta, Lens, these types of physical teams, he needs to improve, to become more complete,” the Italian coach commented after a successful match for Vermeeren against Nice.
“He's not going to transform into Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, but when you play with a number 10 and two midfielders behind him, you need someone who is willing to get stuck in, you need to add a bit of physicality,” he added.
🇧🇪 Arthur Vermeeren (20) for @OM_Officiel vs. Ajax:
☑️ 82 minutes
🅰️ 1 assist
🎯 53/56 passes completed
💪 6 ball recoveries
⚔️ 100% tackles won
🤩 4-0 win
His first Marseille start.
Tidy. 👏 pic.twitter.com/RCIA85UPRV— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) September 30, 2025
A big fan in Benatia
This perceived lack of intensity in duels had already been highlighted by the Marseille coach, who clearly sees it as a crucial area for improvement.
“He is the present and the future of the club. He was born in 2005 and he's strong. But he can still improve a lot. On the field, by becoming a bit more of a leader and a little less timid. And off the field, by understanding the locker room and the city,” he had said in early October.
“I already wanted him last year, when he went to Leipzig. He's a strong player who does very good things. He's progressing quickly, he's becoming a complete player, and we're very happy with him,” De Zerbi summarized on Monday, in a more positive tone.
As for Medhi Benatia, OM's director of football, has no doubts. “We've wanted him for two years, and he's showing that he can become a very important player, not just for OM,” he said after the victory against Ajax.
“With his qualities, by being a bit more aggressive in duels, because Ligue 1 is a physical league, I don't see how he wouldn't be a valuable asset,” the Marseille executive added. With crucial matches to come against Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and RC Lens to come in January, it's up to the youngster to keep proving that value.
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