Leonardo: Verratti should go to a bigger club after playing in Paris for 5 years. It is difficult to play for 11 consecutive years

In an interview with RMC, former Paris Saint-Germain director Leonardo talked about the topic of old Paris general Verratti.

The 33-year-old Italian midfielder Verratti played for Paris Saint-Germain for 11 years. In 2023, Verratti left Paris to play in the Qatar League and currently plays for Duhail. It was Leonardo who signed Verratti from Pescara when he was the sporting director of Paris Saint-Germain.

In 2011, the Qatari owner moved into Paris Saint-Germain, and in 2012, Verratti joined the team. Leonardo first said: "I respect the players who joined the Paris Saint-Germain club in the early stages of the new project, because the early stages of the project were not easy. Paris Saint-Germain faced various challenges at that time, and everything was questioned. But it was those who joined at that time who made great efforts."

Although Verratti has been the main midfielder of Paris Saint-Germain for a long time and was once pursued by Barcelona, ​​some people think that he failed to grow to the height originally expected of him. Leonardo continued: "He has been at the club for 11 years, and it is normal for different cycles to occur. Maybe - I mean maybe, a player like Verratti, after playing for Paris Saint-Germain for 5 years, should move to a bigger club. I am thinking about his career. But he has stayed there, and it is really difficult to stay in one place for 11 consecutive years."

Leonardo then pointed out: "I have experienced a lot. It's difficult and a lot happens. And when things happen, the more important players are affected more and are under more pressure. This is because he has been playing in the team and I think he could have performed better. Of course, if he can win the Champions League in Paris, like winning the European Cup with the national team, he can get better."

Verratti has a lot of cards in the game, and life off the field also affects him. Leonardo said: "I don't think this is a failure. He did encounter some problems off the court, and sometimes there were personal problems that put him in a difficult situation. Not only because of off-field activities, but also some things that everyone may encounter in life, he did go through some more difficult times."

Finally, Leonardo said: "Then he came back, I think he became better, and then he ended this period Experience. This is his life. Verratti is the player I talk about the most because I have been very close to him from the beginning. The problem is not the off-field activities, but the mental state. It is not easy to focus on something for 15 years. I am just saying that it is not easy for anyone to stay focused... But judging from the overall situation, I think he is a very good player."source:kết quả bóng đá 7m