Key Takeaways
- Timothy Weah joined Marseille on a season-long loan from Juventus this week.
- The USMNT star spoke to RG and revealed that his top goal is playing his best so he can make the American squad for the 2026 World Cup.
- "I have to work hard to be in shape for the World Cup," Weah said, who will have competition for minutes in the Marseille attack.
Timothy Weah in action at Juventus (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Timothy Weah has made the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico his immediate target after joining Olympique Marseille on a season-long loan.
Weah, who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain and Lille in the French top-flight, joined the Olympians on a temporary deal with a purchase obligation from Juventus.
His addition reinforces Roberto De Zerbi’s squad as they prepare to play in the UEFA Champions League this season and also challenge European and France title-holders PSG for the Ligue 1 crown, who lost in the Club World Cup final last month to Chelsea.
World Cup is The Main Goal For Weah
With three Ligue 1 winners’ medals in his cabinet, the American forward is hungry to guide Marseille to their first league title since 2010 and also get himself in top form for next summer’s global football fiesta in North America.
The New York-born star was part of the USMNT squad that featured at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he scored a goal in the country’s 1-1 draw with Wales in the first group match, but they exited the tournament in the Round of 16.
“My goals are high. I'm only 25 years old and I have eight years left to win titles,” Weah told RG at his presentation.
“Everyone's goal is to win something so I want to score and provide assists. The World Cup is coming and it's on my home turf.
“I have to work hard to be in shape for the World Cup. I hope to play in my second World Cup.”
Since he made his international debut with the USMNT in 2018, Weah has played 44 matches with seven goals to his name.
Embracing Pressure And Passion
Weah is not unfamiliar with French football, having previously played for PSG and Lille, and he is now set to reunite with Angel Gomes in southern France, as well as Adrien Rabiot, with whom he played alongside at Juventus.
The USMNT star admitted that he feels the pressure of making an impact after his father, George Weah, played at the Stade Velodrome for six months in the 2000-01 campaign.
He added: “Since he played here, for me it was a dream to play for Olympique Marseille. For my father, playing here was a dream, it was incredible.
“There's pressure everywhere, in every job. I hope to have a great season with my teammates.
"My agent called me to tell me about OM's interest and my father told me about the club, about the passion.
“I'm lucky to be here. In a career, few players have the chance to play for a big club. In my head, I was already here, I said to myself go for it."
Assessing Weah's Chances at Marseille
The American is renowned for his pace and versatility on the flanks, which would be a priceless addition for De Zerbi's attacking style.
However, he will be challenging in-form and ever-present Mason Greenwood, who started every league match last season and finished as the joint-top scorer in the Ligue 1, for a starting spot on the right wing, but his tireless work rate would come in handy for De Zerbi during the busy fixture schedule later in the season.
His versatility to play as a right-back is an added value that does not rule him out from playing together with Greenwood on the right flanks, and there is either Amine Gouiri or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the Marseille frontline.
