The “Little Owl” will no longer hover over the Parc des Princes. After eleven years at PSG, Italian international Marco Verratti has joined the Qatari club Al-Arabi SC, the French club announced on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old midfielder, a favorite of many supporters for many years, was no longer part of the club’s plans, which changed strategy this summer with the arrival of coach Luis Enrique. His creative profile, however, seemed to correspond to the Spaniard’s wishes.
But Christophe Galtier’s successor very quickly informed the 2021 European champion that he was not one of the players he wanted to count on. Too often betrayed by his body and criticized for his questionable lifestyle, Verratti was clearly not in line with the precepts of the Spanish coach, who demands flawless investment from his troops.
“A special place in my heart”
Following this logic, the Italian was not even called up during the first four days of the championship without his absence being really felt on the pitch. Without a concrete offer from major European clubs, put off by his enormous Parisian salary, he had no other choice than to accept a golden exile in Qatar for a transfer which should bring in nearly 50 million euros at PSG, according to several media.
Marco Verratti “played a major role in our great history,” declared club president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, quoted in the PSG press release. “I was very proud to wear the colors of Paris Saint-Germain for more than a decade, to rub shoulders with so many great players, and to win 30 trophies. Paris, the club and its supporters will always have a very special place in my heart. I will be Parisian forever,” said Marco Verratti.