Marco Verratti not afraid to return to Paris, Zlatan Ibrahimovic expresses sympathy after attacks

Both Marco Verratti and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were not in Paris during the attacks

According to Marco Verratti’s agent, the Italian midfielder is ‘not afraid’ to return to Paris after the deadly terror attacks in the city, according to Forza Italian Football. The Italian midfielder was not in the country when the attacks took place on Friday night but he has no issues returning to the city to continue playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

More than 120 people were killed in the attacks that took place at a restaurant, a concert hall and even the friendly match between France and Germany at the Stade de France. Reports also surfaced revealing that one suicide bomber even had a ticket to the same game but detonated his explosive vest outside the stadium when he was stopped by security.

Fellow teammate Edinson Cavani is said to be apprehensive about a return to Paris while David Luiz was also thinking about a return to Paris. But Verratti’s agent Donato Di Campli told Radio Crc that Verratti was not afraid to return.

“We’re all stunned by happened,” Di Campli said. “France has already been through this once before in January’s Charlie Hebdo attacks, but Friday’s was an even worse massacre.

“Verratti was not in France, but he’s not afraid to enter the country. Something major happened, which must be taken into account, but life goes on.

“Verratti will keep playing for PSG,” he concluded. However, the 23-year-old midfielder hasn’t said anything in public yet.

France is set to host Euro 2016 next summer and people have raised questions over whether the country should host the quadrennial event considering the nation has seen two terrorist attacks in less than a year. But Di Campli was against moving the tournament to another country.

“Euro 2016 should be in France, absolutely,” Di Campli said.

More: 5 football stories you should know from the Paris attack

Zlatan Ibrahimovic couldn’t focus during Euro playoff after Paris attacks

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic wasn’t in a clear state of mind when Sweden played Denmark in the Euro 2016 playoff, according to The Guardian. The 34-year-old is currently in his fourth season with PSG and expressed his sadness at what had transpired on Friday. Sweden eventually beat Denmark 2-1 with Ibrahimovic converting from the penalty spot.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is currently on international duty with Sweden as they look to qualify for Euro 2016

“It’s sad, tragic. Things like that shouldn’t happen,” Ibrahimovic said after the first leg.

“I stand behind those who have passed on and the families there. I tried hard to focus on the game, which was very hard.”

All players had worn black armbands on their sleeves and even the stadium in Stockholm was lit up in blue, white and red – the colours of the France flag.

Sweden coach Erik Hamren also spoke of the terrible attacks and what the team discussed before the game.

The terrible and despicable has happened,” Hamren had said. “We had a chat when we assembled and we must show that evil cannot be allowed to win, that football is important on days such as this.”