PSG midfielder Marco Verratti has made a plea to Italy fans after their World Cup elimination.

Italy are to face Turkey in a friendly this weekend.

“When you win, it's easy to thank everyone," wrote Verratti on Instagram.

“I want to do it today after an elimination that will deny us the most wonderful and exciting competition for us players, but above all for all the Italian fans around the world.

“I want to thank everyone, staff, players and all those who work with passion and enthusiasm around the Nazionale.

“Unfortunately, in life and in football, it doesn't always go the way your expectations, objectives and dreams had planned it.

“The disappointment is immense, but we already showed that with work, passion and heart, anything is possible. So in life or in football, just like after a great victory last summer or a huge defeat, we must continue fighting.

“Football is our passion and I am sure we'll continue to give our all to earn more satisfying moments together.

“One last thing: I don't think the best way to deal with this is to insult everyone, because each of us tried to give our all (unfortunately it wasn't enough).

“Above all please leave the younger players alone (if you really want to, insult us 'older' guys, because sometimes you forget we are just people like you, normal folks, and that we too feel the biggest emotions in the smallest things)."