Jose Maria Callejon shared most of his time between Napoli and Real Madrid, so is looking forward to tonight’s Champions League showdown and back at ‘one of the most emotional moments of my career.’
The two teams face off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Callejon spoke to TV Play about his time at these clubs, coming through the Real Madrid academy and playing there from 2011 to 2013 before a seven-year spell at Napoli.
“Napoli gave me everything, I could never speak ill of a club and a place where I experienced unforgettable seasons and where my two daughters were born, who consider themselves to be Neapolitan.”
The Spain international left Napoli as a free agent in October 2020 to join Fiorentina and is now continuing his career back in his home country for Granada.
His departure came at the height of the COVID pandemic and the delayed end to the season meant he even accepted playing two months without pay.
“It is a decision I would make again. I felt it with my heart, this strong bond with the club, my teammates and the fans. It didn’t feel right to leave them without my help when the season was still in progress and there were so many games left to play.
“What did hurt me was not being able to salute our fans in the stadium, but I do remember with enormous emotion the applause they gave me at the stadium when I returned wearing the Fiorentina jersey. That truly was one of the most emotional moments of my playing career.”
Callejon also gave an interview to Spanish site Relevo and his version of events there was a little less sugar-coated when it came to the departure from Napoli.
“I played two months for free. I asked for a contract renewal for July and August during the season that was extended due to COVID. They replied ‘you can go back home on June 30.’ I did not leave them, but I would’ve liked to have concluded in a different way.”