Marquinhos: the story of a decade in Red and Blue

Marquinhos' book starts with a preface, written on the other side of the Atlantic, in a Brazil where the sun beats down on football, which has become a religion. The first lines were written at Corinthians. A remarkable progression there sent him to Europe, to discover the Italian top flight. And less than a year later, he crossed the Alps to start the biggest chapter in his career: the one he would write at Paris Saint-Germain.

So who would have thought, when 'little Marcos' arrived from Rome in 2013, that he would become one of the City of Light's most iconic players? Because over the course of this decade, Marquinhos has become, year after year, one of the cornerstones of a big project.

A decade marked by ups and downs, by lots of emotions, by bursts of joy and sometimes pain, all of which are necessary in the learning process. Here, the 19 year old has grown up in the shadow of his teammates and matured in the shadow of his mentor, Thiago Silva.
From his compatriot, the No5 has inherited qualities that can never be taken away: his constant professionalism, his maturity and his strength of character. But Marqui has also managed to make his own way, modestly imposing himself in a dressing room full of experience. This has made him a pillar of the club through the years, the coaches and the hard times.

Marqui is someone whose strength of character allows him to weather the storms with his head held high. He is someone who will always reach out to a teammate who needs him. Someone who will play with a limp to stay on the pitch. Someone who always looks out for the people who make his success possible: the fans who shout from the stands, or the employees who work in his daily life. A steadfast loyalty to his club, but also to the values that led him to inherit the armband when Thiago Silva left more than three years ago.
At 25 years of age, the indispensable cog in the team's wheel became one of the greatest symbols of its rise.

So yes, Marquinhos is and will remain a legend in Red and Blue history. He has also earned this honour by entering the very exclusive circle of players who have played more than 400 games for Paris. On top of that, he is the player who has played the most European games in the club's history (81). All these appearances have shown only one thing: Marquinhos has never slowed down.
Marquinhos screams, gets emotional, celebrates. He plays like he lives: without a filter. In a capital that buzzes, trembles and stirs, the player's serenity serves as a calming presence.

And then you can't look at the story of Marquinhos without thinking of his iconic gestures. From the rage he displays during big tackles as if he were celebrating goals, to the ones he has actually scored in a Parisian shirt. Unusual for a defender, Marqui is in fact the most decisive defender in the history of Paris Saint-Germain, with no less than 38 goals. These include the unforgettable strikes inflicted on Bayern Munich on their snow-covered pitch, the goals scored against Atalanta or Leipzig in a memorable Final 8, and Manchester United or City, victims of his bullet headers.

Today, the boy has grown up. The man has matured. The player has established himself. But he has also become more than just an member of the club. He is now a symbol of the club, one who embodies the values of performance, commitment, humility and respect for the shirt.

And the story is far from over. Marquinhos still has some great lines to write in the Red and Blue book. In fact, several volumes have just been added, as the Brazilian has signed a new contract, linking him to his club until 2028.
As these stories are written, the defender will undoubtedly continue to be one of the protagonists in the City of Light.