Latest news with #MarcoVerratti
Web Release
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Web Release
Marco Verratti reveals reasons behind his departure from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago
Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, currently residing in Qatar, has revealed the circumstances surrounding his departure from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago. After spending 11 seasons with the French club, Verratti moved to Al Arabi SC in Qatar. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport last Tuesday, Verratti, who has recently joined Qatari side Al Duhail SC, said the decision to leave PSG was a deliberate one and not something he regrets. He clarified that his departure was not triggered by the appointment of then-new manager Luis Enrique, who had succeeded Christophe Galtier. 'I can assure you that discussions with Nasser [Al-Khelaïfi] go back much further than that. I told him I was leaving because I wanted new challenges,' said the former Italy international, who earned 55 caps with the national team. He added that he remains on good terms with the PSG president: 'He's a wonderful person,' he said
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Verratti reveals dinner that sparked Messi's PSG move from Barcelona
Italy international Marco Verratti reveals that a dinner with PSG stars and Leo Messi in Ibiza sparked the Argentine's move to Paris from Barcelona and insists Inter remain favourites to win the Serie A title this season. Former Pescara star Verratti spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport, revealing that he'd love to play in Serie A with his boyhood club. The 32-year-old, a serial Ligue 1 title winner with PSG, also spoke about his time in the French capital, revealing that a dinner in Ibiza with some of his ex-teammates somehow led to Leo Messi's transfer from Barcelona. Verratti opens up about Messi's move to PSG ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 15: Marco Verratti of Italy arrives before the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 semifinal match between Spain and Italy at FC Twente Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Enschede, Netherlands. (Photo by) 'I remember a fantastic evening that turned almost magical. I was in Ibiza and Neymar came to me to say that we'd have dinner with Leo Messi,' Verratti said. 'It was me, Leo, Paredes, Ney and Di Maria at the table. We talked and had a good time. Jokingly, we started pushing him [Messi] to come to Paris. The next day, we read that there were problems between him and Barcelona, and later in the afternoon, Neymar called me to say: 'Leo is coming [to PSG]. It was incredible to have him for dinner and then become teammates.' Messi is currently under contract with MLS side Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar joined PSG in 2021 and spent two years in Paris before his move to the USA. During his interview, Verratti shared his view on the upcoming Serie A campaign, insisting that Inter remain the favourites for the Scudetto. Verratti's view on 2025-26 Serie A season NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 26: SSC Napoli players and Antonio Conte show the Scudetto trophy during the parade on the seafront on May 26, 2025 in Naples, Italy. SSC Napoli players on the open-top bus in parade along the Naples seafront celebrate the Scudetto victory. (Photo by) 'I'm really intrigued by Gasperini at Roma. Gasp has built something extraordinary with Atalanta,' he said. 'I hope Allegri does well at Milan, which is hugely followed here. As I coach, I have a soft spot for Sarri. He has his own style, and some of his principles remind me of Zeman. The idea of controlling the game, and most importantly, his ability to develop players. 'Last year, they really pulled off a miracle. Only somebody like Conte could have done it. For me, however, Inter remain the favourite based on the players they have. If they sign Lookman, they'll remain the strongest.' Verratti, a Euro 2020 winner with the Italy national team, has collected 55 appearances with the Azzurri, scoring three goals.
New York Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Former PSG midfielder Marco Verratti joins Al-Duhail from Qatari rivals Al-Arabi
Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has signed for Al-Duhail from fellow Qatari club Al-Arabi. Verratti will be reunited with former PSG head coach Christophe Galtier, who is now in charge of Al-Duhail and led them to a second-placed finish in the Qatari top flight last season. Verratti, 32, followed Lionel Messi, Neymar and Sergio Ramos by leaving PSG in 2023, joining Al-Arabi in a deal worth around £39million ($52m), despite his contract at the Ligue 1 running to 2026. Advertisement The former Italy international made 40 appearances for Al-Arabi, scoring four times and laying on 12 assists. They finished ninth out of 12 teams in the Qatar Stars League in 2024-25 campaign, and bottom of Group B in the Gulf Club Champions League. Al-Duhail, meanwhile, finished just two points behind champions Al-Sadd. They have completed a number of signings from Europe in recent years, with Spanish midfielder Luis Alberto joining from Lazio after eight years with the Italian club last summer, while Benjamin Bourigeaud joining from Rennes. Verratti signed for PSG in 2012 from Serie B side Pescara, the summer after Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) completed its takeover of the club. He joined Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, and Ezequiel Lavezzi, who also joined the Ligue 1 side in high-value transfers. The midfielder made 416 appearances for the Paris club during an 11-year spell, winning nine Ligue 1 titles, six French cups, and six French League Cups, as well as nine French Super Cups.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former PSG midfielder Marco Verratti set to join Al-Duhail
Two years after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Marco Verratti (32) is on the move again – but staying in Qatar. According to Foot Mercato, the Italian international will join Al-Duhail on a free transfer after two seasons with Al-Arabi. The ex-PSG midfielder, who amassed 416 appearances for the club between 2012 and 2023, scored four goals and provided four assists in the Qatari top flight this season. However, his contributions were not enough to lift Al-Arabi higher than 9th place in the 12-team league. Advertisement Verratti will now join the reigning Qatari league runners-up, Al-Duhail, where he'll link up with fellow European exports Benjamin Bourigeaud (formerly of Rennes), Luis Alberto, and Hakim Ziyech. Christophe Galtier, who coached Verratti briefly in Paris, recently left Al-Duhail after declining to extend his contract. Verratti spent over a decade at PSG, making 416 appearances, scoring 11 goals, and lifting nine Ligue 1 titles. He was present at the Champions League final won by his former club, covering the match for Italian TV. GFFN | George Boxall
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
West Ham make enquiry to sign former PSG playmaker
Despite this season being something of a write off for West Ham fans, if they can land Marco Verratti this summer things might be starting to look up again for the East London outfit. A West Ham forward has been linked with a move away after a failed summer switch, whilst Graham Potter is weighing up a move for a Man United striker as the Hammers hope to put the 24/25 season firmly behind them. Although there's certainly been a sea change in attitude in the Irons squad since Potter took over, results have still been a little hit and miss. Currently, the East Londoners find themselves in 15th position in the Premier League table, with survival the only realistic option for them after a poor start to the campaign under Julen Lopetegui. Starting to make plans for the 25/26 season would appear to make sense, and to that end, TBR Football are reporting that West Ham are one of the clubs interested in bringing former PSG playmaker, Marco Verratti, back to European football. Verratti, 32, is currently plying his trade in the Qatar Stars League with Al Arabi. After 15 games of their league season, Al Arabi are third from bottom on just 16 points, some 19 behind leaders, Al-Duhail. A move back to Europe would therefore surely appeal, but the question mark for the Hammers, and other reported interested parties, Bournemouth and Fulham, is whether they want to commit to a player that's the wrong side of 30, despite his brilliant career. The one plus point to any deal is that Verratti's contract is up this June so he would arrive as a free transfer (transfermarkt) and make sense financially.
