Matteo Guendouzi has a reputation as a wind-up merchant.The former Arsenal midfielder is incredibly talented, which is highlighted by the fact he has six caps for France under his belt.But while Guendouzi is a potential superstar in the making, he will not be winning a popularity contest any time soon.The 23-year-old seems to be involved in a scrap every single time he takes to the field, even in pre-season friendlies.During Marseille's latest preparatory fixture against Real Betis in Chesterfield, Guendouzi was involved in a skirmish after the French club took a 1-0 lead through Arkadiusz Milik.Veteran winger Joaquin got into a tussle with Guendouzi and Andres Guardado then decided to pull his opponent by the hair.But why were the Betis players so angry? Well, new footage has revealed exactly why.
Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Lorient v Olympique de Marseille - Stade du Moustoir, Lorient, France - May 8, 2022 Olympique de Marseille's Matteo Guendouzi celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Stephane MaheAfter Marseille scored, Guendouzi went on the wind up, appearing to make a 1-0 gesture with his hands to the bench.Joaquin was having absolutely none of it and intervened, with Guendouzi then telling the 41-year-old to "f**k off".Things turned even uglier shortly after...
Video: Guendouzi vs Joaquin during Marseille 1-1 Real Betis
Guendouzi just cannot help himself, can he? The long-haired midfielder must be an absolute nightmare to play against.
The youngster must also be incredibly tough to manage at times, something which his former boss at Lorient Mickael Landreau previously touched on in an interview.
"He annoyed me terribly, he is very complicated to manage," Landreau told Canal+.
"He sometimes has some behaviours within a group that are very, very hard. But somehow, that’s what he is: big; he doesn’t let go, he is a fighter. He has an oversized ego, but he certainly needs it.
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 08: French national football team goalkeeper Mickael Landreau arrives at a harnessed trot race, on October 8, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Antoine Antoniol/Getty Images)
"It’s also what’s at stake in his career: how he will manage what he is in order to succeed, or not, in an exceptional career," he added.
"I think he needs to be in the spotlight, to be a leader. He needs to be a captain or vice-captain, and he will try to make the most of it.
"Because that’s the way he is. And that means that his teammates have to accept him the way he is, because he’s a pain on a daily basis.
"He’s very annoying on a daily basis, but on the other hand, he’s talented."