Marseille arrive in Istanbul with a demanding European night ahead and a domestic crossroads waiting at home. Igor Paixão is in the travelling squad for Thursday’s Europa League meeting with Beşiktaş, a 16:00 Brasília-time kick-off that opens a pivotal stretch for the French club.
SEO Title: Igor Paixão in Marseille squad for Beşiktaş Europa League trip
SEO Description: Igor Paixão travels with Marseille to Istanbul for their Europa League opener against Beşiktaş before Sunday’s French derby against PSG.
Igor Paixão heads to Istanbul with Marseille
The Brazilian forward, from Amapá and formerly of Coritiba, was included when Marseille left for Turkey on Wednesday. The match will be broadcast live by Cazé TV in Brazil.
Paixão goes into the fixture seeking his first direct contribution of the campaign. Despite an impressive pre-season, during which Marseille supporters voted him their player of the month for August, he has yet to register either a goal or an assist in competitive action.
Europe has often brought out his more decisive side. At Feyenoord, he played six Europa League matches in 2022/23, producing one goal and one assist. The following season he scored once in two appearances before the Dutch side moved into another competition.
His Champions League record has been stronger still. Paixão recorded two goals and four assists across 11 games in 2024/25, including a man-of-the-match display against Milan. Last season, after joining Marseille, he led the side’s Champions League contribution with four goals and one assist in eight outings.
Thursday’s visit to Beşiktaş is only the beginning of a crowded week. Marseille return to France to face Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s Ligue 1 classic, scheduled for the 20th.
Marseille’s Europa League league-phase schedule
- Marseille v Olympiacos — 15 October, 16:00
- Sturm Graz v Marseille — 22 October, 13:45
- Leverkusen v Marseille — 5 November, 17:00
- Marseille v Levski Sofia — 26 November, 14:45
- Marseille v Celta Vigo — 10 December, 14:45
- Celtic v Marseille — 21 January, 17:00
- Marseille v Anderlecht — 28 January, 17:00
