Gattuso considers sensational Verratti return to Italy squad

Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso, together with Gianluigi Buffon, has discussed with former PSG midfielder Marco Verratti the possibility of his return to the national team for the March World Cup qualifying playoff matches.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the meeting was preliminary and no final decision has been made yet. Gattuso believes the Italian side lacks a holding playmaker of Verratti or Jorginho's caliber, which is why he's determined to bring the former PSG star back into the squad.

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For the record, the 33-year-old Verratti is currently playing for Qatari club Al-Duhail, having joined them this summer from Al-Arabi. The midfielder previously spent 11 years in Ligue 1 with PSG and hasn't represented Italy since 2023.