Ahead of Marseille’s Champions League match against Newcastle United, French publication L'Équipe highlighted the complex situation surrounding forward Mason Greenwood, who faces persistent resistance to a return to English football.

The match against Newcastle, a Premier League club, could have been an opportunity for the 24-year-old—on loan at Marseille after a year at Getafe—to showcase his talents to his home nation. This desire to impress is compounded by recent Daily Mail reports that Greenwood is "obsessed" with rejoining the England national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

However, L'Équipe suggests that even if Greenwood were to become the Champions League's top scorer this season, a short- or medium-term return to the national team or the Premier League is highly improbable.

Across the Channel, public opinion remains strongly influenced by the 2022 incident where photos of his partner, Harriet Robson, with bloodied injuries, and an audio recording of alleged non-consensual demands, were released. Although the charges against him were dropped in February 2023, and he has since reconciled with Robson (with whom he has two children), his image in England is severely damaged.

This damage was so significant that Manchester United ultimately opted to sever ties with him, partly due to pressure from fan groups. Natalie Burrell, founder of a Manchester United Women's Supporters' Club, told L'Équipe that her view remains unchanged. She stated that Greenwood has never admitted his actions were "very bad" or demonstrated comprehension of the accusations against him. She believes that unless he clearly expresses remorse, he will not return to play in England, either for the national team or a Premier League club.