Italian international Marco Verratti insists he’d rather retire than change his style of play.
The Paris Saint-Germain player is regarded as one of the finest midfielders in the world, but has been criticised for his risky style, often dribbling past players at the base of midfield.
“I have always done that, ever since I was young and when I join a new team or I play with a new manager there is always a bit of a fight at the beginning and then they understand that’s my style of play and they eventually do it,” Verratti told the Telegraph.
Italian international Marco Verratti insists he’d rather retire than change his style of play.
The Paris Saint-Germain player is regarded as one of the finest midfielders in the world, but has been criticised for his risky style, often dribbling past players at the base of midfield.
“I have always done that, ever since I was young and when I join a new team or I play with a new manager there is always a bit of a fight at the beginning and then they understand that’s my style of play and they eventually do it,” Verratti told the Telegraph.
“It is stronger than me. I want to play differently because I think I have got something, something different, and if one day I let a goal happen that should not have happened then, well, I will take the responsibility for that but I will also continue to play that way.
“A lot of the time I am told to clear the ball, kick it out, ‘degager le ballon!’ they shout, but I can’t do that and if I have to do that then it feels like a defeat for me.
“I don’t know how to do it. I never get rid of the ball that way and when I am watching TV and I see players who do get rid of the ball then I don’t accept it.
“I know each player’s got a different style. But that’s not my style. I will never change. I’d rather not play football at all than have to change my style.
“I really mean that. I have always played the way I play, always continued to do that even when people have told me not to.
“Coaches have tried to change me but it’s my personality, my character and how I play.”