Trent's going - but who else will leave Liverpool this summer?

Pep's perfect successor? How Iraola could power Man City's new era

Clinton's on fire as Man Utd boost UWCL hopes

The day Man Utd fans stopped football 

Eli Junior Kroupi: Have Bournemouth bagged the new Mbappe?

Editors' Picks

Simeone accuses UEFA of 'deciding' UCL loss to Real

Dubious hero to unlikely zero: What's gone wrong for Greenwood?

Why Martinez is football's ultimate wind-up merchant

Murray reveals Messi's hilarious response to Stoke question

O'Reilly is a future star - but what's up with Haaland?!

Bruno to Real Madrid?! La Liga giants want £90m Man Utd captain

Wrexham get ‘daunting’ warning as Rob & Ryan look to make history

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Brighton goalkeeper Steele underwent surgery</li><li>Had an hour-long FaceTime call with De Zerbi</li><li>Steele's wife surprised by Marseille boss' gesture</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Is that normal?!' - Brighton player's wife left shocked by hour-long FaceTime call made by Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi that 'speaks volumes about him as a human being'

Premier League

Brighton

Aston Villa

Ligue 1

Marseille

Toulouse

<p>Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi surprised Brighton player Jason Steele with an unexpected hour-long FaceTime call in late January after the goalkeeper underwent surgery on a shoulder injury he had suffered. Steele shared his thoughts on the gesture from the former Seagulls head coach, revealing that his wife was truly amazed that the Italian had bothered to call.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>De Zerbi was the manager of Brighton for two seasons between 2022 and 2024, before leaving his post to join Ligue 1 heavyweights Marseille. Steele, who has been a Brighton player since 2018, made 44 appearances under the former Shakhtar Donetsk boss during his time in as a Premier League manager. Indeed, Steele noted that for De Zerbi to make the call on a Friday night, less than 24 hours before Marseille had a match to play the following day, "speaks volumes about him as a human being".</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>In an interview with <em>talkSPORT </em>(h/t <a href="https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2025/brighton-goalkeeper-jason-steele-surprised-by-hour-long-roberto-de-zerbi-call-after-surgery/" target="_blank">Get French Football News</a>), Steele said: "I came out from surgery seven weeks ago, his team were playing a day later, Marseille, and he FaceTimed me for an hour on the Friday night. That speaks volumes about him as a person, as a human being.</p><p>"The day I came out of surgery, that evening I go back home in pain, etc and he FaceTimed me. My wife was sat next to me looking after me on the couch, and she’s like ‘I can’t believe that’s just happened, is that normal? I actually don’t think that is normal."</p>

WHAT JASON STEELE SAID

<p>De Zerbi is enjoying a successful season at the helm of Marseille, leading the team towards a potential Champions League spot next season <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/marseille-boss-roberto-de-zerbi-interest-serie-a-juventus-ac-milan-ready-return-italy/blt83cc26b75ab55218" target="_blank">amid rumors of a Serie A return</a>. Currently second in Ligue 1, Marseille will face Reims next Saturday, March 29.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ROBERTO DE ZERBI?

'Is that normal?!' - Brighton player's wife left shocked by hour-long FaceTime call made by Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi that 'speaks volumes about him as a human being' | Goal.com Australia

Roberto De Zerbi had an hour-long call with injured Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, leaving his wife pleasantly surprised by the actions of the Marseille head coach.

&apos;Is that normal?!&apos; - Brighton player&apos;s wife left shocked by hour-long FaceTime call made by Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi that &apos;speaks volumes about him as a human being&apos;

Next matches