Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has opened up on the criticism which he receives for his ‘unhealthy’ lifestyle.
The Italian has faced a number of off-field struggles along with his lifestyle being strongly criticised.
Verratti will be hoping to help PSG reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Manchester United this evening.
Verratti on testing positive during an alcohol test back in Autumn
Back in November, Verratti was arrested for drink-driving.
His breathalyser test revealed he was over twice the permitted legal limit in France.
However, the 26-year-old is insistent that he has since learnt from his mistake.
Verratti told Le Parisien:
“We play football, but sometimes people forget that we are also human beings.
“We get days off, we can go out with our friends, with family.
“When this happened, I was at a birthday and I drank a little more than the authorised limit for a probationary licence.
“I have children, that made me realise things. And I will not do that again.”
Verratti on separation from his partner affecting him
Verratti also faced the struggle of splitting with his partner, which he claims has not affected him.
Instead, he is focused on his two children and has hit out at criticism, by stating people forget footballers are human.
He revealed:
“No. Life is like that, anything can happen.
“I started being mature when I was 19 or 20, when I had my first son. He changed me.
“It is the most beautiful thing that I have in my life.
“I have two magnificent children.
“This sport makes you grow up quicker than you otherwise would.
“Often, people speak of us as if we are aliens, but we are like you, we have normal lives.”
Verratti on people constantly commenting on his life
The midfielder revealed that he is trying to block out comments on his off-field antics.
Whilst he accepts people can have an opinion on him, he is keen to be judged on what he does on the pitch.
Verratti added:
“What I hate is when people have unchangeable ideas of me.
“But honestly, I don’t really care. Everyone is free to think what they want.
“You can judge me on the things I do on the pitch, what I can bring to the team. But not off of it.
“I always hear that I am injured because of my lifestyle.
“When I injured my ankle (in January) that had nothing to do with it, a player takes my foot away.
“Things are said about me, said about others, that are truly rubbish.”
