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All About Marcos Marquinhos




Read the story below. Then answer the questions using these phrasal verbs.


Story:


Marquinhos, born in 1994, has gotten his act together from a young age to become one of the world’s most respected centre-backs. Now captain of both Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team, he is widely seen as a defender who consistently gets to the bottom of difficult situations on the field thanks to his pace, positioning, and composure.


He got his start at Corinthians, breaking into the senior squad in 2012. After helping the team get off the ground that season with a Copa Libertadores title, he moved to Roma, where he quickly got in on the act as a regular starter. His strong performances convinced PSG to sign him in 2013 for a record fee for a teenager.

At first, he had to fight for game time, especially after the club signed David Luiz. But when Luiz left in 2016, Marquinhos got back into an essential role in the defence.


He helped PSG reach the 2020 Champions League final and later got down to business as captain when Thiago Silva departed. In 2025, he led PSG to their first-ever Champions League victory, completing a historic treble. By then, he had become the club’s all-time appearance leader, with more than 450 matches.

Internationally, Marquinhos got into Brazil’s senior squad in 2013 and steadily grew into one of its key defenders. He won the 2016 Olympic gold medal, the 2019 Copa América, and represented his country in multiple World Cups and continental tournaments. Even when Brazil struggled, he often helped the team get around defensive problems with his anticipation and calm passing from the back.


Throughout his career, he has shown unusual versatility — playing as a centre-back, right-back, or defensive midfielder whenever the team needed him. His ability to read the game, win back possession, and start counterattacks means he doesn’t just defend: he helps the entire team get going in transition. Coaches and teammates often note that he rarely tries to get out of difficult tasks; instead, he leans into responsibility, even captaining Brazil in key matches.


Analysts frequently compare him to Thiago Silva, his former teammate and role model. Despite not being the tallest defender, Marquinhos has got by through impeccable timing and strength. Years of experience have allowed him to get together all the tactical and technical qualities needed to perform at the highest level, making him one of the most reliable defenders of his generation.



Vocabulary:


1. get one’s act together

Definition: To start organizing oneself and acting effectively, especially after a period of confusion or delay.Example: After weeks of missed deadlines, the team finally got its act together and finished the project.Question: When was the last time you had to get your act together to meet a goal or deadline?


2. get around

Definition: To find a way to deal with or avoid a problem, or simply to move from place to place.Example: The company found a way to get around the new restrictions by adjusting its import strategy.Question: How do governments sometimes get around difficult political or legal obstacles?


3. get by

Definition: To manage to survive or cope with limited resources.Example: Many people have to get by on very small salaries during economic downturns.Question: How do families usually get by when times are financially difficult?


4. get down to business

Definition: To start focusing on the important or practical matters after talking or delaying.Example: After some small talk, the committee got down to business and reviewed the budget.Question: In meetings, do you prefer to chat first or get down to business right away?


5. get off the ground

Definition: To start or begin successfully, often referring to a project or plan.Example: The new housing project is finally getting off the ground after years of planning.Question: What factors help a new idea or project get off the ground?


6. get in on the act

Definition: To become involved in an activity that others are already benefiting from.Example: When online sales started booming, small retailers wanted to get in on the act too.Question: Have you ever wanted to get in on the act when others were succeeding at something?


7. get together

Definition: To meet socially or gather for a shared purpose.Example: The neighbors got together to organize a community clean-up day.Question: How often do you get together with friends or colleagues outside of work?


8. get back into

Definition: To return to doing something after stopping for a while.Example: After a long break, she’s finally getting back into painting.Question: What’s something you’d like to get back into that you haven’t done recently?


9. get out of

Definition: To avoid doing something or to escape from a situation or commitment.Example: He tried to get out of jury duty by claiming he was too busy.Question: Do you think people should ever try to get out of responsibilities? When, if ever, is it justified?


10. get to the bottom of something

Definition: To discover the true reason or explanation for a problem or situation.Example: Investigators are still trying to get to the bottom of the data breach.Question: Why is it important for journalists and courts to get to the bottom of an issue before acting?




GAP-FILL WORKSHEET


get one’s act together • get around • get by • get down to business • get off the ground • get in on the act • get together • get back into • get out of • get to the bottom of something • get his start • get going


**A. Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verb from the list above.

Change the form if necessary.**


  1. Marquinhos finally __________ and became one of the most reliable defenders in world football.

  2. His early career at Corinthians helped the club __________ its season with a Copa Libertadores win.

  3. At Roma, he quickly __________ as a regular starter even though he was still very young.

  4. When David Luiz left PSG, Marquinhos __________ a permanent starting role in defence.

  5. As captain, he didn’t waste time — he immediately __________ and led PSG to major titles.

  6. Even when the team struggled defensively, he could usually __________ the tactical problems and stabilize the back line.

  7. Thanks to his timing and positioning, he managed to __________ despite not being the tallest defender.

  8. He rarely tried to __________ responsibilities; instead, he embraced leadership roles.

  9. His versatility allowed him to help the team __________ in transitions and counterattacks.

  10. When challenges came up, he and his teammates would __________ and find solutions.

  11. With experience, he learned how to __________ defensive issues by reading the game well.

  12. After joining Brazil’s senior squad, he slowly __________ the rhythm of international tournament football.


MULTIPLE-CHOICE COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS


1. What key trait helped Marquinhos “get to the bottom of” defensive problems?

A. His height

B. His ability to read the game

C. His speed as a winger

D. His long passes from midfield


2. Why did Marquinhos initially struggle for minutes at PSG?

A. He lacked experience in European football.

B. He was recovering from injury.

C. David Luiz’s presence limited his playing time.

D. He wanted to play only as a midfielder.


3. What major accomplishment did he achieve in 2025?

A. Winning his second Olympic gold medal

B. Becoming Brazil’s top scorer

C. Leading PSG to its first Champions League title

D. Signing for a Premier League club


4. What does the article suggest about Marquinhos’s attitude toward responsibility?

A. He tries to avoid it whenever possible.

B. He accepts it but does so reluctantly.

C. He prefers not to make decisions in difficult moments.

D. He embraces responsibility and doesn’t try to “get out of” difficult tasks.


5. How has Marquinhos managed to “get by” physically as a defender?

A. By relying on speed alone

B. Through strong tactical understanding and timing

C. By switching positions frequently

D. By avoiding contact with strikers


6. Why is Marquinhos often compared to Thiago Silva?

A. Both play as attacking midfielders.

B. Their playing styles and leadership qualities are similar.

C. Both captained PSG at the same time.

D. They were both born in the same year.


7. What helped Marquinhos “get back into” a key role at PSG in 2016?

A. A managerial change

B. A transfer request

C. David Luiz leaving the club

D. A new contract with Roma


8. What does the article mean when it says Marquinhos helps teams “get going” in transitions?

A. He scores most of the counterattack goals.

B. He starts many attacking moves through clean ball recovery and passing.

C. He waits in the box for crosses like a striker.

D. He runs up the wing to overlap the full-back.

 
 
 

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