Born in Accra, Ghana as Odenke Abbey, Marcel moved to Olympique de Marseille in 1992 and won the UEFA Champions League the following year. In 1994, while a member of A.C. Milan, he again won the Cup (scoring in the final himself), being the first player to win the Cup in consecutive seasons with different clubs. During his time in Milan he won two Italian league titles, in 1994 and 1996. He moved to Chelsea for a reported 4.6 million pounds prior to the 1998 World Cup. After Euro 2004, he retired from international football as the all-time leader in appearances for France (116). He was snapped up by Qatari outfit Al-Gharafa in 2004 as the club captain and they won the Qatar League in 2005.

Marcel Desailly is considered one of the most accomplished players of the game and one of the best players of the past two decades, having won virtually every major team award. Found predominantly giving his opinion from the touchline at both half time and full time as opposed to residing in the studio, he is a knowledgeable and highly respected commentator on the modern game.

Marcel Desailly's style has won him an army of British fans, due to his tendency to speak knowledgeably with his heart on his sleeve.

He presents in French and English.

Desailly is a supporter of the 1GOAL Education for All campaign. He is also the UNICEF national Goodwill Ambassador for Ghana. He is the Lifetime Goodwill Ambassador for his personal Charity OrphanAid Africa, that helps abandoned children in Ghana. He is a member of the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation.