Marquinhos (foto: Getty Images)
PSG captain Marquinhos has confirmed he is applying for French citizenship, citing his long-standing personal and professional ties to Paris and France.
Captain of Paris Saint-Germain, Marquinhos, has revealed plans to apply for French citizenship, a move that would symbolically underline his deep connection to Paris and the country where he has spent more than a decade of his life and career.
The Brazilian defender has been based in France since 2013, becoming one of the most enduring figures of PSG’s modern era. Speaking to RTL at the 2025 RTL Sports Awards, the 31-year-old confirmed that the process is already underway.
“We’re already working on it. My wife has submitted her application, and I’m preparing to file mine together with her,” Marquinhos said.
Family roots firmly in France
Marquinhos is married to Carol Cabrino, and the couple have three children, with a fourth on the way. All of their children were born in France, further strengthening the family’s bond with the country.
“I lived in Brazil for 18 years, and I’ve been in France for 13,” he explained. “It’s natural that a big part of me is Parisian today. My children were born here, and my wife has lived here with me since I arrived.”
“For me, it would symbolise everything that France and Paris have given me. I would be very happy to finally become a French Parisian,” he added.
In the past, a similar path was taken by his former PSG teammate Thiago Silva, who also applied for French citizenship during his time in the French capital.
A record-breaking PSG career
Marquinhos’ story in Paris began in 2013, when PSG beat off strong competition from Barcelona to sign the then 19-year-old from AS Roma. It was one of the early statements of intent from PSG’s ambitious project, and one that has aged remarkably well.
Twelve years later, Marquinhos has become the most capped player in PSG history, with 504 official appearances. He has lifted ten Ligue 1 titles, and the defining moment of his club career came in May 2025, when PSG finally captured the UEFA Champions League trophy.
After Thiago Silva’s departure, Marquinhos inherited the captain’s armband and has remained the team’s on-field leader through multiple eras of change.
On the international stage, he has amassed 103 caps for Brazil, and at 31, he is steadily climbing the all-time appearance rankings for the Seleção.
With years still ahead of him, Marquinhos is already firmly established as one of the greatest players in PSG’s history — and soon, perhaps, not just a Brazilian icon in Paris, but officially a French Parisian as well.