When Ugo Crousillat speaks about CN Marseille’s breakthrough season, it’s not with hyperbole—but with pride earned through years of sacrifice, setbacks, and belief. The 33-year-old captain, born and raised in Marseille, has lived water polo his whole life. Now, with his team preparing for the Champions League Final Four, he stands at the forefront of a new era for both his club and French water polo.
“It was a great season that could be exceptional depending on how it ends,” says Crousillat. “We’ve already made club history by qualifying for the Champions League semifinals, and we’re in contention for another French and European title.”
For a city and club with deep roots in the sport, this campaign marks a turning point. But Crousillat knows it didn’t happen overnight.
“Personally, I think all this is happening thanks to the work put in over many years by the management, the staff, and the players,” he explains. “The fact that we’ve kept a solid base of players who have been playing together for 5 or 6 years now, and the new additions this season who have integrated perfectly.”
“I also haven’t forgotten those who have left but who are certainly part of this group’s progress!” he adds. “It’s been a long road—we were sometimes disappointed when we were so close, but we never gave up, and it paid off.”
A French Flag on the European Stage
Marseille’s presence in the Final Four marks a significant moment for French water polo—a reality not lost on its captain.
“As you say, it’s exceptional for Marseille first and foremost, and for French water polo as well,” he says. “Marseille now has five players on its team who trained at the Real Kids of the Circle club, and that’s a source of great pride.”
“We must take advantage of this moment and honor it by winning the title.”
No Complexes, No Fear
Facing reigning champions Ferencváros in the semi-finals is a monumental challenge. But Crousillat and his teammates aren’t intimidated.
“Certainly, we’re new to this Final Four, unlike the other three teams, but we have no complexes about the other teams,” he says. “Can we say that we’re outsiders in terms of history? Yes. Are we here by chance? No.”
“So like the other teams, we’ll be in Malta to win the Champions League.”
That belief extends even to confronting a tournament favorite.
“Let’s be direct—of course Ferencváros are the favorites of this Final Four,” he acknowledges. “They are the reigning champions and they have the biggest team on paper. Nevertheless, as I said, we also have great qualities which are different but which can be very powerful, as we have shown this season.”
A Special Partnership, A Second Shot at Glory
Crousillat is already part of history, having become the first—and still only—Frenchman to win the Champions League, with Szolnok in 2017. That title came alongside Serbian superstar Andrija Prlainović, with whom he now shares the pool again in Marseille.
“It’s a source of immense pride to be the only French player to have won the Champions League, but I hope I won’t be the only one!” he says.
“Having Andrija with us is a huge opportunity. He’s one of the greatest players of all time, and if there’s one player who knows how to win the Champions League better than anyone else, it’s him!”
“Winning the Champions League with my club and again with Andrija would be an incredible achievement… He’s someone I love very much. We shared the same room at Szolnok and then in Marseille. For the past five years, I’ve learned a lot from him.”
Captain, Leader, Still Hungry
Rumors swirled recently that Crousillat might retire after the Paris 2024 Olympics, but he swiftly puts them to rest.
“This is a completely false rumor! There was never any question of me stopping,” he clarifies. “I signed a 5-year contract with Marseille in 2023. And I also plan to play for the French national team until 2028. I am still passionate and motivated to progress. I feel very good physically!”
He speaks with pride about his role as captain, one he takes seriously—but never bears alone.
“It’s an honor, a source of pride, and a privilege to be captain of my club and such a great team,” he says. “As usual, I try to be myself to inspire my teammates, and of course, I rely on leaders within the team who support me and help me progress.”
“As a captain, I’ve never been used to going it alone, whether at Marseille or with the French national team! It’s a role that’s close to my heart, and in which I try to progress as much as I do as a player.”
A National Game in Flux
While Marseille’s rise has captured attention, the broader French water polo landscape is less stable. With the disappearance of historic clubs like Noisy-le-Sec and Tourcoing from the top division, the contrast is stark.
“That’s a tough question,” Crousillat admits. “We’re certainly disappointed to see clubs disappear from the top level, even though we’ve made history in French water polo in recent years thanks to the performances of the national team and CN Marseille.”
“Why did we get to this point? It’s difficult to answer. I think sometimes there’s a lack of cooperation between the clubs and the federation, without blaming anyone.”
Still, he believes there is hope: “I hope we’ll manage to find solutions so as not to ruin so quickly everything that’s been built… if that’s the case, then I’m sure French water polo will still have a bright future ahead of it.”
As CN Marseille prepares for its biggest European matches in history, Crousillat remains the embodiment of a club—and a nation—on the rise. From his roots in the pool as the son of Olympians to becoming France’s Champions League pioneer, he’s still writing his story.
And with Malta on the horizon, there’s one final line he’s determined to add: Champions of Europe—with Marseille.
See more on Waterpolo 360’s Champions League Homepage
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X