What was the nickname of the most praised player on the 2002-2003 Olympique de Marseille team?
2002–03 Olympique de Marseille season Olympique de Marseille almost won the French League for the first time in 11 years, having a remarkable run to third place, having only scored five goals more than it conceded. The most praised player was central defender Daniel Van Buyten, who was able to tighten up the defence, and also helping out with scoring several important goals. Without Marseille's goalscoring woes, it could have sustained a more serious title assault. Therefore it signed late-blooming starlet Didier Drogba from En Avant Guingamp, a move that was set to be among the best financial deals in the clubs' history.
2006–07 Olympique de Marseille season Olympique de Marseille had a solid season, but did not manage to win the elusive trophy they had chased for 14 years, with the biggest disappointment being losing on penalty shootout against Sochaux in the Coupe de France final. The 2nd-place finish of Ligue 1 was the best for eight years, but the side were never in title contention, being 18 points adrift of Lyon.