Everything you need to know about Marco Verratti, PSG's Italian wizard.
Marco Verratti is an Italian professional football player who currently plays as a central midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain and the Italian national team. He was born on November 5, 1992, in Pescara, Italy. He is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, known for his excellent ball control, passing skills, and vision.
Verratti began his career playing for his local team Pescara, where he quickly established himself as one of the most promising young players in Italian football. He made his professional debut for the club in 2008 at the age of 16 and went on to play over 100 games for the club before being signed by Paris Saint-Germain in 2012.
At PSG, Verratti has been a key player for the club and has helped them win numerous domestic titles, including seven Ligue 1 titles, six Coupe de France trophies, and nine Coupe de la Ligue trophies. He has also been instrumental in PSG's success in European competitions, helping them reach the final of the Champions League in 2020.
Verratti is known for his technical ability on the ball, as well as his tactical intelligence and defensive work-rate. He is an excellent passer of the ball and is capable of unlocking defences with his vision and creativity. He is also a tenacious tackler and is not afraid to put in the hard yards in midfield.
Off the field, Verratti is known for his humble and down-to-earth personality. He is widely respected by his peers and is regarded as a role model for young players. He is also a dedicated family man and has two children with his long-term partner, Jessica Aidi.
In addition to his success at club level, Verratti has also been a key player for the Italian national team. He made his debut for the Azzurri in 2012 and has gone on to earn over 40 caps for his country. He was a key member of the Italian side that reached the final of Euro 2020, where they defeated England on penalties to win the tournament.
Verratti's success on the pitch has been recognised with numerous individual awards and accolades. He has been named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year six times and has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or award on several occasions. He has also been named the Italian Footballer of the Year three times.
In summary, Verratti is one of the best midfielders in the world, known for his technical ability, tactical intelligence, and defensive work-rate. He has been a key player for PSG and the Italian national team, helping them win numerous domestic and international titles. Off the field, he is a humble and dedicated family man who is widely respected by his peers.
GettyA fan of the Old Lady growing up!
Since an early age, Verratti had his heart set on Juventus as he grew up supporting the Turin-based giants. Verratti started out playing for Pescara, a team in Serie-D, in the hope of wearing the famous white and black one day.
And when Pescara was promoted to the Italian top flight, it looked like the then 19-year-old's dream would become a reality with him becoming one of the hottest prospects in Italy.
Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan were all vying for the midfielder's signature, but amidst the rumours, PSG decided to throw their hat in the ring and bagged the prize as the Italian signed for the French giants.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesA man of multiple languages 🅰️🅱️
Verratti can speak several languages with ease. He is proficient in both Italian and French, which he picked up after signing with Paris Saint-Germain in 2012.
Verratti is fluent in English as well, and he has been observed using it in conferences and social media appearances.
His ability to connect with teammates and supporters from other nations clearly thanks to his language skills has made him both an asset on and off the pitch.
GettyHails from a footballing family 👪
Not many are aware of the fact that Verratti hails from a footballing family. The Italian's father and brother both played amateur football but failed to break onto the scene. Despite their failures, the duo pushed Verratti to pursue his dream of football and he became one of the best midfielders across Europe.
Verratti started playing football at a very early age as he was considered a formidable talent from the start. His first steps as a footballer started at an academy in Manoppello and he hasn't looked back since.
Getty ImagesHas a museum full of jerseys 👕🎽
A football enthusiast by nature, Verratti has amassed over 100 jerseys from various teams and nations throughout the years. He has jerseys from well-known clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United as well as shirts from lesser-known teams and national teams in his inventory.
Verratti's travels and relationships within the football community have allowed him to assemble this outstanding collection. After games, he has been noted to trade jerseys with other players, and he has even accepted presents of shirts from both fans and other athletes.
Verratti has talked about how much he enjoys gathering football jerseys and how each one brings back a distinct memory for him. He has turned a specific area in his home into a small museum where he exhibits his collection. Verratti's collection is evidence of his passion for football and commitment to the game.