Marco Verratti explains why he regrets not joining Barcelona from PSG, but still hopes Luciano Spalletti will include him in the Italy squad, even if ‘it is tough’ after moving to Al-Arabi.
The Azzurri midfielder was a central figure at Paris Saint-Germain for 11 years until that rapport broke down over the summer and he made the switch to the Qatar Stars League.
That transfer and the arrival of new boss Spalletti to replace Roberto Mancini have combined to effectively push Verratti out of the call-ups for the Nazionale, but he has not given up hope.
“I am always ready to represent my country,” Verratti told Alkass TV Sports.
“I know it is tough, especially now that I am playing in Qatar, but I knew that before signing for Al-Arabi. Nonetheless, Spalletti has my phone number and he can call me if he wants me to join the Azzurri squad.”
Making his debut for the Nazionale in August 2012, Verratti turns 31 on Sunday and has amassed three goals in 55 senior caps.
Although his time at Paris Saint-Germain only ended this summer, there were a few close calls before that and he seemed at one stage to be on the verge of a move to Barcelona, especially in 2017.
“Barcelona is a team that is suited to the way I view football. They also had in my view the best midfielder in the history of the game, Andres Iniesta.”
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