Wrongly, for the most nostalgic, rightly, for the most skeptical, it was time to say goodbye. Those of Marco Verratti (30 years old), Paris Saint-Germain legend and main figure in the Parisian midfield over the last eleven years. Arriving from Pescara in July 2012 and quickly becoming one of the cornerstones of the QSI project, the “Little Owl” finally decided to call it quits. Stop at the City of Lights. Stop the disillusionment. Stop the incessant criticism about your pace of life. Stop, also, the arabesques that are as brilliant for his supporters as they are stressful for his successive coaches. Now in the colors of Al-Arabi, in Qatar, a club he joined for 45 million euros and until June 2025, Verratti offered himself, this Friday evening, one last moment of emotion in his lair . The one who revealed it to the whole world.
“I want to make it clear that I have a balanced squad and a lot of very good options in midfield even without Verratti. Besides, I would like to take this opportunity to say that Marco Verratti will be there tomorrow before the match. This is the opportunity for all the supporters to say goodbye. He has been a very important player of the last decade. I think it will be a special moment for him and his family.”clarified with this in mind Luis Enrique, present at a press conference before challenging the Aiglons. “This Friday, at the Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain will celebrate Marco Verratti during a pre-match ceremony from 8:00 p.m. All supporters are therefore invited to go to the stadium early to salute Marco for his 11 seasons at the club., for its part outbid the Ile-de-France club. In front of his admirers, or not, and to mark the end of a long love story, the Italian international (55 caps, 3 goals) therefore presented himself orphaned by a coveted Champions League but crowned with 9 Championships. France, 6 French Cups or even 6 League Cups.
A legend leaves Paris!
Determined to begin a new era, PSG – which also decided to do without the services of Neymar, Lionel Messi or even Juan Bernat to name a few – welcomed, in any case, a last time the one who will have symbolized as much the strengths of this formation as its flaws (746 days of unavailability for the Italian during his stay with the Rouge et Bleu, or more than 2 full years). In a warm atmosphere despite a sparse Parc des Princes, the Italian made his entrance onto the Parisian lawn under a guard of honor, set up by all of his former teammates and certain members of the staff. Thanked through a long video published in the Paris region, the star of the Nazionale, very moved, then received a vibrant tribute from many faces who will also have marked the history of the club. From Thiago Motta to Ezequiel Lavezzi via Javier Pastore, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Blaise Matuidi, the 30-year-old right-hander was logically celebrated.
“Marco my brother I remember you as a young man, you made history and you will forever remain in the hearts of Parisians”, declared Matuidi in particular. Surrounded by his loved ones, the man who also received a trophy of honor from Nasser Al-Khelaïfi ended this very special moment with a lap of honor. The opportunity for him, microphone in hand, to thank his supporters one last time and to feel, in return, the love that will ultimately remain with him. The following ? A few autographs, several selfies, countless songs to his glory and to finish two long banners recalling, if necessary, the passion generated by the native of Pescara. “A decade of magic, 30 trophies with Paris”could we read in the Auteuil bend or even: “a monument named Marco Verratti”. A monument which will now evolve far from the eyes of the Parc des Princes but certainly not far from its heart. “I think I can only say thank you to you all. I had wonderful years. It’s a big thank you that comes from the bottom of my heart. Really”concluded Marco Verratti soberly, with tears in his eyes.
