The former Napoli striker Dries Mertens spoke on ‘Delietta Gol’ on Prima TV and TV Luna: “Returning to Castel Volturno was exciting. It’s the first time I’ve been back, I had the opportunity to see the boys again and then also see the changing rooms, it was a great feeling. I found a nice atmosphere. Even if this year didn’t go the way we wanted, I still believe in Champions League qualification and they must believe in it too. I saw the boys well, I worked with Calzona and I believe in the staff’s philosophy.
The best years in Naples? Everyone, because every year I have always seen beautiful things. I can’t wait to stop football to enjoy the city even more.
2018 Scudetto? It has never happened in Serie A not to win the scudetto with 91 points… it’s a bad thing.
Scudetto won the year after I left? It was beautiful, exciting, no envy because after many years I became a Napoli fan. When you change teams you focus on the new project, but I always had an eye on where I was. After playing for many years with your teammates, you consider it a family and it’s nice to see your family win something like this and I know what it means for me too, for Napoli, for the boys, for Spalletti for all the players… it was a incredible year, I saw all the games and they played incredible football and I even celebrated. I still feel with the players I played with in Napoli and in the current team there are many who I played with and it was nice to see them again.
Who have I remained closest to than my former companions? We all still talk, I have remained in contact with the various Reina, Jorginho, Koulibaly, Ghoulam: I found a dozen of them in the team in Naples, it was nice to see who is still in the team and to have remained in contact with those who have gone Street.
Why did I leave? Because I couldn’t take it anymore, I had become slower and then…
Did I want to win the scudetto in Naples? I didn’t feel envious, after so many years playing for Naples you become a fan, I know what winning the scudetto meant. I wish I had, but I watched all the games and enjoyed some incredible football.
What if I miss Tommaso’s coffee? Mamma mia….Food in Naples? I enjoyed a tomato pasta with mozzarella on the sensational beach, joking with him I asked him for sunbeds by the sea all summer.
What will I do when I stop playing? I don’t know the answer yet. When I do something I like to concentrate 100% and now I’m at Galatasaray and I want to enjoy every moment.
Will we see my son Ciro one day with Napoli’s 14? Safe. He was fine in Naples. What do I tell him about Naples? Nothing, he has to discover the emotions of this city on his own. If a footballer is well and happy at home you can also see it on the pitch and for this reason I stayed for nine years in a beautiful place, a beautiful house, near a beach which is the best and these are things that have a huge influence on the choices of a professional ”.
Tags: Champions Scudetto envy Ill left
