PSG and Italy star Marco Verratti reveals he will apply for French citizenship one day and defends his compatriot Gigio Donnarumma: ‘He’s the future of the club.’
Verratti has entered his tenth year in Paris, having moved to the club from Pescara in the summer of 2012.
The Italy international had just been promoted to Serie A and has never made his debut in Italy’s top flight.
“I’ve moved to Paris from a little village in Abruzzo, Manoppello. Paris is an amazing city and this country [France] has given me so much,” the Italy star told Sportweek, as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“That’s why I feel French as well as Italian. I’ll apply for French citizenship one day because my sons were born here.”
Verratti has already spent one season with his compatriot Gigio Donnarumma at PSG.
The ex-Milan star had a tough debut season in Paris, especially following their 3-1 loss against Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
The 22-year-old gave away the ball too easily, leading to Karim Benzema’s equaliser. The France striker eventually netted a hat-trick that helped the Merengues win the game and qualify for the quarter-finals.
“That’s what football is about. He was treated like a king in July and people threw stones at him in March,” said Verratti.
“Gigio is young, yet he has a lot of experience. He also suffered at Milan a little bit, but he is our future, we are happy to have him at PSG.”
What do the Ligue 1 giants need to win the Champions League?
“We are not missing much, we played a Final and a semi-final in two years, we must continue working hard and, perhaps, don’t start from scratch every time,” said the 29-year-old.
“Everyone wants to do more, but we’ve won 28 trophies in ten years and it’s not something to be taken for granted. We’ll try to win the Champions League every season, we know it’s the trophy that counts the most.”
Verratti was part of the Italy squad that won the Euros a year ago, but eight months later, the Azzurri missed out on their second successive World Cup.
“It was a disaster, we experienced contrasting emotions. We won the Euros and then we were not able to win,” said Verratti.
“There are no more easy games and you pay for your errors. Not everything is to be wasted, we have great qualities, a talented group. In life and football, you can win or lose, but one must always work hard. We all want to bring Italy where we deserve, to the World Cup.”
Verratti’s full interview will be published in Gazzetta dello Sport’s magazine Sportweek tomorrow, Saturday, July 16.
why is this news
“He also suffered at Milan a little bit”…really, when?
Just curious as been a Milan fan longer than he’s been alive but wasn’t aware of any suffering that took place. Maybe a lack of CL football? Or during contract negotiations? Or suffered because his ex team won the league title the season after he left? Not sure.
Will he have dual citizenship or is he giving up his Italian one ?