25 Facts About Marco Verratti

Marco Verratti is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Italy national team.

Marco Verratti is often considered as one of the best midfielders in the world.

Marco Verratti's 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.

At international level, Marco 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.

Marco Verratti was born in Pescara, and grew up in Manoppello.

The first youth team Marco Verratti was affiliated with was that of Manoppello, a historic team of Pescara, that in 2001 merged with the newly born Manoppello Arabona.

Marco Verratti remained there until 2006 when he entered the youth of Pescara.

Marco Verratti's performances generated national media coverage as a potential star of the future and Italian international.

On 18 July 2012, Marco Verratti signed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.

On 2 September 2012, Marco Verratti made his competitive debut for PSG in an away Ligue 1 match against Lille.

On 20 August 2013, Marco Verratti signed a one-year extension to his contract with PSG, keeping him at the club until 2018.

On 6 March 2018, Marco Verratti was sent off after acquiring a second yellow card in the second leg of a Champions League round of 16 fixture against the eventual champions Real Madrid.

On 28 December 2022, it was announced that Marco Verratti had extended his contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 30 June 2026.

The uncapped Marco Verratti was included into Cesare Prandelli's preliminary 32-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2012, being one of only two Serie B players to be part of it.

Marco Verratti was cut from the squad on 28 May 2012.

Marco Verratti took part with the Italy U-21 side at the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where the Azzurrini finished as runner-up to Spain.

Marco Verratti's performances saw him included in UEFA's all-star squad for the tournament.

On 1 June 2014, Marco Verratti was selected in Italy's 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Marco Verratti has perfect mastery over long and short passing, he can play the final ball, and he doesn't lose the ball that easily.

Marco Verratti has been deployed as a metodista, due to his ability to dictate play in midfield as well as assist his team defensively, or as an offensive minded central or box-to-box midfielder, known as the mezzala in Italian football jargon, due to his ability to carry the ball and push forward.

Marco Verratti is one of the best midfielders I have played with, along with Xavi and Iniesta.

Marco Verratti has highlighted his offensive qualities and lack of goalscoring as weaknesses in his game.

Marco Verratti was in a relationship since 2009 with a childhood friend, an Italian woman Laura Zazzara, whom he later married and with whom he has two sons, Tommaso and Andrea; the pair separated at the beginning of 2019.

On 15 July 2021, four days after Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, Marco Verratti married model Jessica Aidi in Paris.

On 30 October 2018, Marco Verratti was arrested after being caught drunk driving on the Boulevard Peripherique.