Italian midfielder Marco Verratti has joined Qatari club Al Arabi. The French giants confirmed he left PSG on Wednesday for this purpose. A photo of Verratti wearing the club jersey was posted on social media by Al Arabi shortly after the announcement.
Qatari-owned PSG have expressed their gratitude to Verratti after severing an 11-year relationship. Club president Nasir Al-Khelaifi said in a statement: “Verratti has played an important role in our club’s remarkable history.”
“Paris, this club and its supporters will always hold a special place in my heart,” the statement quoted Verratti as saying. I will always think of myself as French.’
The 30-year-old midfielder has been struggling with injuries recently. Besides, he also has several records of breaking discipline on the field. He received a total of 141 yellow cards and six red cards in his PSG career. He only managed to play 29 games in League One last season due to bans and injuries. He played 32 matches in 2014-15 for the same reason.
Verratti could not come to the team this season due to new coach Luis Enrique. PSG have not received any viable offers for Verratti from any of Europe’s major clubs throughout the summer transfer window. French media claim that PSG received 50 million euros from Al Arabi in exchange for Verratti.
Verratti won nine French leagues, six French Cups for PSG. In 2021, he won the European Championship title for the Italian national team.
A number of star players have moved to the Saudi professional league taking advantage of the summer transfer market. Verratti became the second player to be named in the Qatari league. Earlier, Brazilian forward Philippe Coutinho joined Qatari club Al Duhail from Premier League club Aston Villa on a one-year deal.
(September 14/MM)