Marco Verratti

Italian midfield maestro who won nine Ligue 1 titles with PSG and ranks third in all-time appearances for the club.

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 a then-record nine Ligue 1 titles, among other domestic and individual trophies, and established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. He ranks second 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

Born: 5 November 1992
Birthplace: Pescara, Italy
Height: 1.65 m / 5 ft 5 in
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Al Duhail

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 at an early age, and he was made offers to join the youth academies of Atalanta and Internazionale, but joined his local club Pescara for €5,000. After an impressive performance for Pescara's under-16 team against AC Milan, the Lombardy club offered €300,000 to sign the midfielder, but Verratti decided to remain at Pescara.

He made his first team debut in the 2008–09 season at the age of 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. After helping Pescara to promotion, Verratti received the 2012 Bravo Award and was reportedly wanted by Napoli, Roma and Juventus, as well as Carlo Ancelotti's Paris Saint-Germain. At the 2012 AIC Gran Gala del Calcio, he was elected the best player of the 2011–12 Serie B season.

On 18 July 2012, Verratti signed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain. He made his competitive debut for PSG on 2 September 2012 against Lille. He ended his first season by winning the 2012–13 Ligue 1 title. Verratti's second season with PSG was even more successful as the team retained its Ligue 1 title and won the Coupe de la Ligue and the 2013 Trophée des Champions.

He was named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and included in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year for the 2013–14 season. On 30 September 2014, Verratti scored his first competitive goal for PSG, a header in a 3–2 home win over Barcelona in the Champions League. In August 2016, he signed a three-year extension, keeping him at the club until 2021. On 6 March 2018, Verratti was sent off in a Champions League round of 16 fixture against Real Madrid.

On 3 April 2019, he scored the opening goal from a Kylian Mbappé assist in a 3–0 home win over Nantes 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 contract extension tying him to PSG until June 2024. On 12 January 2020, Verratti made his 300th appearance for PSG. On 18 February, he became the club's all-time appearance holder in the Champions League.

Did You Know?

Verratti ranks second for all-time appearances for Paris Saint-Germain with 416 matches, behind Jean-Marc Pilorget with 435.
He won the 2012 Bravo Award for the best player under 21 in Europe.