One year after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Marco Verratti opened up in La Gazzetta dello Sport — and his words won’t go unnoticed in Paris.
Now playing in Qatar, the Italian midfielder explained that his departure wasn’t about money or a coaching decision — it was about rediscovering the thrill of the game. “Winning had become a habit in Paris. Almost boring. Here, I’ve found the joy of victory again, like when you’re a kid,” he confessed.
Contrary to popular belief, Luis Enrique had nothing to do with his exit. “That’s false. My decision came long before he arrived. I just needed a new challenge. And I left on very good terms with Nasser. He’s a great person.”
That magical Ibiza night with Messi
Verratti also reflected on one unforgettable moment: the summer 2021 dinner in Ibiza that helped bring Lionel Messi to Paris. “We were at the table with Neymar, Di Maria, Paredes… and Messi. We hinted he should join us. The next day, Neymar called me: ‘Marco, Leo’s coming to us.’ It was magical.”
Admiration for Neymar and Mbappé
Despite the departure of PSG’s former stars, Verratti still has respect for his old teammates. “Neymar is humble and generous — we’re still in touch. And Kylian has an incredible hunger to win. He’ll win the Ballon d’Or one day, I’m sure of it.”
As for the club’s future? He’s confident. “PSG still has stars. The collective is stronger. Luis Enrique is doing a brilliant job. They’ll keep winning for a long time.”
Related Posts:
