FILE PHOTO: Italian midfielder Marco Verratti has left Paris St Germain to join Qatari side Al-Arabi. PICTURE: Getty Images
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0 PARIS: In this summer, PSG parted ways with Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., Sergio Ramos and Georgino Wijnaldum.
Italian midfield maestro Marco Verratti has left French champions Paris Saint Germain (PSG) to join Qatari outfit Al Arabi in a deal worth €45 million (R900 million). The veteran leaves the Parisians within a year of signing a contract extension that would have kept him in Paris until 2026.
Unfortunately, he did not form part of Luis Enrique’s plans, as the Spanish coach is on a mission to rebuild the team with young players and is thus letting go of established ones. In this summer, PSG parted ways with Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Sergio Ramos and Georgino Wijnaldum.
Verratti has bid the club PSG and the fans farewell. “I’ve been very proud to play for Paris Saint Germain for over a decade, to rub shoulders with so many great players and to win 30 trophies.”
“The club and its fans will always hold a very special place in my heart,” he said in a message posted on the club’s website.
The accomplished midfielder made 416 appearances in all competitions for PSG. In the 2022/23 season, he played 38 times for the Parisians.
Verratti Leaves PSG with a glittering trophy cabinet, which includes nine league titles and six French Cups and French league cups apiece.
In 2012, he was signed by the Ligue 1 champions from a Serie B side Pescara. Thereon, the 31-year-old made a name for himself in Paris, where he spent over a decade.
The Euro 2020 winner, who was left out of the Italian squad that played the European Championship qualifiers in order to complete this deal, has 55 national team caps.
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