XXL prize lists, repeated injuries, collection of cards… The notable figures of Marco Verratti’s 11 seasons at PSG

“Little Owl” flies away. He will not have a twelfth season at PSG. Arriving in July 2012 in the capital with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, Marco Verratti had become a monument of Paris, but he is now opening a new chapter in his career. The Italian officially signed on Wednesday September 13 in Qatar, where he will play for Al-Arabi, the club announced.

This departure sounds like the end of a cycle, the native of Pescara (Abruzzo) being the oldest vestige of the beginning of the Qatari era. Arriving at 19, leaving the capital at almost 31, the Italian ended his adventure with the best record in the history of the championship, since he is the only one to have won nine titles in Ligue 1.

Praised to the skies for his genius and his ability to keep the ball glued to his feet, but also criticized for his excessive risk-taking and his reprimands towards the refereeing body, Marco Verratti divided, but left his mark on the history of Paris Saint- Germain. “Paris, the club and its supporters will always have a very special place in my heart. I will be Parisian forever”underlined the Italian upon his departure on Wednesday. A look back in figures on the adventure of the Italian international at PSG.

416

Despite numerous injuries, which regularly kept him away from the field, Marco Verratti played 416 matches with PSG (276 in Ligue 1, 79 in the Champions League, 29 in the Coupe de France, 23 in the Coupe de la Ligue, 9 Trophies champions). He is the second most capped player in the history of the capital club. It’s better than Marquinhos (411 matches), but worse than Jean-Marc Pilorget, record holder for the number of matches played with the Parisian jersey (435 matches).

30

The number of trophies won by Marco Verratti with PSG. The midfielder has nine French championship titles (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023), six French Cups (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021), 6 League Cups (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020) and nine Champions Trophies (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023). A well-filled trophy cabinet, proof of the domination of the Parisian club on the national scene. On the other hand, the record in the Champions League remained empty. Marco Verratti also won Euro 2021 with Italy.

11

This is the number of seasons at PSG for the Italian international, it is also the number of goals scored with the capital club for Marco Verratti, in all competitions. A headed goal against FC Barcelona in the Champions League to open his account (2014-2015 season), a left-footed goal against Reims during his only double with PSG to conclude (2021-2022 season), and nine goals with the right foot for an average of one goal every 38 matches for the Italian, more comfortable in the role of last passer (61 assists, including 10 during the 2014-2015 Ligue 1 season) than ‘to the finish.

107

Malleolus, groin, adductors, calf, thigh, knee, ischium, hip, plantar aponeurosis… Marco Verratti spent a lot of time in the PSG infirmary, more than 600 days. These repeated health concerns caused him to miss 107 matches in his 11-year Parisian career. A number which does not take into account the various suspensions for red cards or accumulation of yellow cards.

136

This is the number of yellow cards received by Marco Verratti during his long spell at PSG, approximately one warning every three matches. He received 92 in Ligue 1, 29 in the Champions League, seven in the Coupe de France, six in the Coupe de la Ligue, and two in the Champions Trophy.

The midfielder also saw the referees pull the red card from their pocket six times. Often criticized for his propensity to criticize the refereeing body and to receive avoidable warnings, Marco Verratti has not mellowed over the seasons.