Marco Verratti Reveals What Zlatan Ibrahimović Meant to PSG

It’s been almost a month since Marco Verratti left Paris Saint-Germain to join Qatari side Al-Arabi in early September for reportedly around €45 million. The Italian international has recently discussed his 11 years in the French capital by touching on many topics.

Verratti spoke about one of the players who significantly influenced him during his time with PSG: Zlatan Ibrahimović. The Swedish striker was in the French capital from 2012 to 2016.

During that time, the 31-year-old midfielder notes that the now 42-year-old’s traits allowed PSG to flourish when Ibrahimović was with the Ligue 1 giants.

“Zlatan brought a lot – I also speak for the club,” Verratti said. “He brought this conviction, the idea that you always had to dream big. Even when we didn’t start as favorites, Ibra gave confidence to everyone. [He] would give everything. This also applied to the club’s employees: he always pushed them to the maximum.”

One of the characteristics that the capital club has lacked is the confidence that Ibrahimović brings. Since then, no other player has brought that type of aurora to the squad. Even with players like Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr., no other player has replicated those attributes.

It will be interesting to see if anyone in this 2023-24 season can bring those qualities to the table.