Marco Verratti

Marco Verratti

Verratti playing for Paris Saint-Germain in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Marco Verratti
Date of birth	(1992-11-05) 5 November 1992 (age 24)
Place of birth	Pescara, Italy
Height	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Paris Saint-Germain
Number	6
Youth career
2000–2008	Pescara
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2012	Pescara	66	(2)
2012–	Paris Saint-Germain	126	(4)
National team‡
2010–2011	Italy U19	4	(0)
2011–2012	Italy U20	4	(0)
2012–2013	Italy U21	7	(0)
2012–	Italy	19	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 March 2017. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 November 2016

Marco Verratti (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmarko verˈratti]; born 5 November 1992) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for French club Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 and the Italian national football team.

A creative, hard-working, and technically gifted playmaker, Verratti began his career with Italian club Pescara in 2008, where he soon rose to prominence as one of the best young midfielders in Europe, helping the team to win the 2011–12 Serie B title, and winning the 2012 Bravo Award. His playing style drew comparisons with Andrea Pirlo, due to his passing ability, vision, and control, as well as his similar transition from the role of trequartista to that of a regista. In July 2012, he transferred to French side Paris Saint-Germain, where he has won four consecutive Ligue 1 titles, among other domestic and individual trophies.

At international level, Verratti represented the Italy under-21 football team at the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, winning a runners-up medal, and being named to the all-star squad for the tournament. At senior level, he made his Italy debut in 2012, and represented his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.