The intersection of elite professional sports and high-fashion financial management has found a new focal point in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Marco Verratti, the Italian midfield maestro and 2021 European champion, has established a new business entity in the region, partnering with his wife, top model Jessica Aidi and a seasoned former Gucci executive.
This strategic move comes as Verratti transitions into a new chapter of his career, having moved to Qatar’s Al-Arabi SC following a storied tenure with Paris Saint-Germain. The formation of the Luxembourg-based company is not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern of wealth management for top-tier athletes seeking to optimize their global financial footprints through specialized advisory services.
At the center of this arrangement is Francesco Giliberti Birindelli, a “business advisor” whose professional trajectory mirrors the luxury and precision of his clients. With a career that includes managing global fiscal affairs for the Gucci group from 2006 to 2017, Birindelli has positioned himself as a key architect for athletes looking to navigate the complexities of international taxation and image rights.
The new venture, headquartered at 24 Rue Astrid in Luxembourg, began with an initial share capital of €30,000. By incorporating both Verratti and Aidi, the entity creates a corporate structure that blends the athlete’s sporting brand with the commercial appeal of a high-profile fashion personality, all under the guidance of a manager experienced in the luxury sector.
The Architect of Athlete Wealth
Francesco Giliberti Birindelli has carved out a niche as a preferred partner for sporting icons who require sophisticated financial shielding. His operational base is strategically located just 200 meters from the Casino de Monte-Carlo, placing him at the heart of one of the world’s most prominent tax havens. From this vantage point, he manages a portfolio of clients that includes some of the most recognizable names in tennis and football.
Among his previous and current collaborations is Italian tennis star Matteo Berrettini. Birindelli serves as the co-manager of Acemat, Berrettini’s holding company based in a Monaco coworking space. Acemat functions as the commercial engine for the Wimbledon finalist, handling everything from marketing and communication to the monetization of image rights and sponsor relations, while benefiting from the Principality’s favorable tax regime.
Birindelli’s reach extends to other global stars, including French international Paul Pogba. The midfielder has utilized Birindelli’s expertise to manage two companies in London. This relationship has persisted even as Pogba has faced significant professional turmoil, including a high-profile doping ban. While initially handed a four-year suspension after testing positive for testosterone in August 2023, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later reduced the ban to 18 months, allowing him a path back to professional play.
Jessica Aidi: More Than a Muse
The inclusion of Jessica Aidi in the Luxembourg company highlights a synergy of professional skills. While widely recognized as a successful model, Aidi possesses an academic background that makes her a natural partner in business management. Born in Le Mans in 1991, Aidi pursued higher education in Paris, where she earned a degree in business economics and a master’s degree in marketing and business management.
Her transition into the fashion world occurred by chance during a casting call, leading to a prolific international career. Represented by Next Models, Aidi has become a face for prestigious houses including Dior, Zegna, and Intimissimi, and famously appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2019. Beyond the runway, she has expanded her brand into media, serving as a presenter for the French reality series “Les Marseillais à Dubai” on W9 since February 2021.
For the Verratti-Aidi household, currently residing at the luxury The Chedi Katara resort in Doha, the Luxembourg entity represents a fusion of Aidi’s marketing expertise and Verratti’s global athletic brand. This structure allows the couple to manage their diverse income streams—ranging from Qatari league salaries to high-fashion endorsements—through a single, tax-efficient vehicle.
The Strategic Pattern of Sports Finance
The move to Luxembourg is a classic example of “tax optimization,” a practice where high-net-worth individuals utilize the legal frameworks of different jurisdictions to minimize their tax liabilities. Luxembourg is frequently chosen for such ventures due to its stable legal environment and favorable treatment of holding companies.
The following table outlines the typical geographic distribution of the financial structures managed by Birindelli’s circle of clients:
| Athlete | Primary Financial Hub | Core Business Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Marco Verratti | Luxembourg | Joint Brand Management |
| Matteo Berrettini | Monaco | Image Rights & Marketing |
| Paul Pogba | London | Corporate Asset Management |
By distributing assets across Monaco, London, and Luxembourg, these athletes create a diversified corporate shield. The use of “business advisors” like Birindelli allows them to maintain a distance from the day-to-day administrative burden of these entities while ensuring their wealth is preserved against high national tax rates in their home countries.
This trend reflects a broader shift in how modern athletes view their careers. No longer just employees of a club, stars like Verratti and Pogba operate as global enterprises. The integration of a former luxury manager ensures that their “off-pitch” brand is managed with the same rigor as a fashion house, treating the athlete’s image as a luxury asset to be protected and grown.
As the current financial year progresses, the focus will remain on how these Luxembourgish and Monegasque structures adapt to evolving EU transparency regulations and the ongoing scrutiny of cross-border tax arrangements for high-profile individuals. The next official filings for the Rue Astrid entity will provide further insight into the scale of the Verratti-Aidi investment strategy.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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