Marco Verratti
Italian midfield maestro who won nine Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain and Euro 2020 with Italy.
Marco Verratti (born 5 November 1992) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Qatar Stars League club Al Duhail. A technically gifted playmaker, Verratti began his career with Italian club Pescara in 2008, where he soon rose to prominence as one of the best young midfielders in Europe, helping the team to win the 2011–12 Serie B title, and winning the 2012 Bravo Award. His playing style drew comparisons with Andrea Pirlo, due to his passing ability, vision, and control, as well as his similar transition from the role of trequartista to that of a regista.
In July 2012, he transferred to French side Paris Saint-Germain, where he won nine Ligue 1 titles, among other domestic and individual trophies, and established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. He ranks third for all-time appearances for the club. At international level, Verratti represented the Italy under-21 football team at the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, winning a runners-up medal, and being named to the all-star squad for the tournament.
At senior level, he made his Italy debut in 2012, and represented his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2020, winning the latter tournament.
Quick Facts
- Affiliation
- Italy National Team
- Major honour
- UEFA Euro 2020 Winner
Lore & Background
Verratti was born in Pescara, and grew up in Manoppello. As a child, he supported Juventus and idolised Alessandro Del Piero. His talent was noticed early, and he joined Pescara's youth academy for €5,000. After an impressive performance for Pescara's under-16 team against AC Milan, the Lombardy club offered €300,000 to sign him, but Verratti decided to remain at Pescara.
He made his first team debut in the 2008–09 season at age 15 years and 9 months. With Zdeněk Zeman as manager, Verratti excelled as a deep-lying playmaker in a Pescara team which won the 2011–12 Serie B title, earning promotion to Serie A. He received the 2012 Bravo Award and was elected the best player of the 2011–12 Serie B season. On 18 July 2012, he signed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain. He made his competitive debut on 2 September 2012 against Lille.
He ended his first season winning the 2012–13 Ligue 1 title. In his second season, PSG retained the Ligue 1 title and won the Coupe de la Ligue and the 2013 Trophée des Champions. Verratti was named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and included in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year for 2013–14. He scored his first competitive goal for PSG on 30 September 2014 against Barcelona in the Champions League.
In August 2016, he signed a three-year extension until 2021. On 6 March 2018, he was sent off in a Champions League round of 16 match against Real Madrid. On 3 April 2019, he scored his first goal of the 2018–19 season in the Coupe de France semi-finals. Following PSG's 2–1 victory over Rennes in the 2019 Trophée des Champions, Verratti became the player with the most titles with the club, with 22 trophies.
In October 2019, he signed a three-year extension until June 2024. On 12 January 2020, he made his 300th appearance for PSG. On 18 February 2020, he became the club's all-time appearance holder in the Champions League with his 58th appearance. PSG were assigned the 2019–20 Ligue 1 title after the season ended prematurely due to COVID-19; this was Verratti's record seventh Ligue 1 title with the club, which saw him equal the all-time individual record of most Ligue 1 title victories, along with his teammate Thiago Silva, jointly held by Hervé Revelli, Jean-Michel Larqué, Grégory Coupet, Juninho, and Sidney Govou. PSG won a domestic treble but lost the Champions League final 1–0 to Bayern Munich on 23 August.
Did You Know?
- Verratti won the 2012 Bravo Award for the best player under 21 in Europe.
- He ranks second in all-time appearances for Paris Saint-Germain, with 416 matches.
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