Edinson Cavani confirmed he’d love to come back to Napoli, “but not with Aurelio De Laurentiis as President.”
The Paris Saint-Germain striker discussed his decision to leave in 2013, making way for Gonzalo Higuain.
“I will always thank the teams I played for with great affection, but the three years at Napoli were truly splendid,” he told Radio Sport 890.
“The city gave me everything: name recognition, improvement, world fame. I feel so many sensations when I hear talk of Napoli.
Edinson Cavani confirmed he’d love to come back to Napoli, “but not with Aurelio De Laurentiis as President.”
The Paris Saint-Germain striker discussed his decision to leave in 2013, making way for Gonzalo Higuain.
“I will always thank the teams I played for with great affection, but the three years at Napoli were truly splendid,” he told Radio Sport 890.
“The city gave me everything: name recognition, improvement, world fame. I feel so many sensations when I hear talk of Napoli.
“Would I return? I did talk about it with my family and I really would love to come back one day, but only when the current President has gone.
“I’ve always said that is my only condition. I have such strong feelings for the city that if I could return in a clear and decisive manner, I’d do so without thinking twice.”
The rapport between Cavani and De Laurentiis had broken down during contract negotiations, but how bad was the situation?
“In football there’s often a lot of politics and you lose human values, sporting values. I didn’t like what was said when I left, but I kept quiet out of respect for the club.
“I was always clear that I didn’t feel respected as someone who had given everything for the club. Napoli gave me so much, but I gave them my all too.
“If it happens, one day I hope to give them even more. There are still people who love me among the fans, but some said horrible things.”
The Uruguay international admits the passion of the Napoli supporters is unique.
“It is a different type of love, yes. It was more difficult to leave the house in Naples and you had to dedicate more of your time to the fans, but that’s what’s so special about them.
“There was one time I went to a jewellery store at 7pm, when the shops were closing. We started chatting, then someone noticed outside the window. It was incredible, there were more than a thousand people outside the door!
“At the start it was strange, there were people photographing you from the roof or clambering under your feet.
“In Naples you experience football in a different way, but it all helped me to grow. I won’t compare those wonderful moments to my current situation in Paris. I just see it as an unforgettable experience.”