Marco Verratti spoke of his World Cup dreams, while he hopes Paul Pogba and Miralem Pjanic can join him at PSG.
The 21-year-old spoke to Tuttosport after being included in the 30-man provisional Italy squad.
Marco Verratti spoke of his World Cup dreams, while he hopes Paul Pogba and Miralem Pjanic can join him at PSG.
The 21-year-old spoke to Tuttosport after being included in the 30-man provisional Italy squad.
“In Italy there are such great players, so to be part of this group is very important. Now I must try to get into the final list of 23, because playing in a World Cup is the dream of every young man,” said Verratti.
“If I do not get called up for the trip to Brazil, it would be disappointing, but I’d accept it with the utmost calm, as it means someone else would have deserved it more than me.
“In any case, I’d watch every game to cheer on the Azzurri as a fan. I hope Italy can go all the way. We’re in a tough group, so getting through that means being aware you can challenge anyone. Italy always tend to raise their game against the big nations.”
They are in the group with England, Costa Rica and Uruguay, with training beginning on Monday at Coverciano.
Verratti has been earmarked as the heir to Andrea Pirlo in the Italy midfield, but possibly at Juventus too.
“I play in a different position now, further forward, but it takes time to reach his level. The thing I have in common with Pirlo is that we try never to give the ball away. I’d like to learn from him the ability to know what he’s going to do ahead of time.”
Verratti has been repeatedly linked with Juve, but assures his future is safe at Paris Saint-Germain.
“It was a wise choice to come here. Receiving the award as best young player of Ligue 1 was wonderful, especially as it was voted for by my colleagues.
“I was sure Juventus would say Pogba was not for sale, as they are not a club who sell their champions. Pogba is already a champion and I’m certain he’ll get even stronger. Juve want to buy players like this, not sell them.
“I’d like to play alongside Pogba, of course. Juventus had a great coup by signing him on a free transfer.”
Paris Saint-Germain had been linked with a €70m swoop for France midfielder Pogba this summer, while they were interested in Pjanic before he extended his Roma contract this week.
“If I had to choose a Serie A player to bring to PSG, it would be Pjanic,” continued Verratti in Tuttosport.
“I really like him and he could make our fortune. I know he renewed with Roma, but he’s so talented and loves playing football. I always like to see players like this.
“Winning the Champions League is an objective for this club, but it’s a long road ahead of us. Now I am focusing on the World Cup and preparing to be in the best shape.
“Everything came to me so quickly in my life that I’ve never really thought about the future. I look only at the present, as my future will be a consequence of that.”