Marek Hamsik feels Napoli is now his home, described the transition from Carlo Ancelotti to Maurizio Sarri and Scudetto ambitions. "It's the ideal environment."
This is his 11th consecutive campaign at the Stadio San Paolo and the 31-year-old has been in Italy since the age of 17 with Brescia.
“Brescia noticed me in Slovakia and that club has always been a hotbed of talent, just look at Andrea Pirlo. I made my Serie A debut when I wasn’t yet 18,” Hamsik told the Corriere dello Sport.
Marek Hamsik feels Napoli is now his home, described the transition from Carlo Ancelotti to Maurizio Sarri and Scudetto ambitions. "It's the ideal environment."
This is his 11th consecutive campaign at the Stadio San Paolo and the 31-year-old has been in Italy since the age of 17 with Brescia.
“Brescia noticed me in Slovakia and that club has always been a hotbed of talent, just look at Andrea Pirlo. I made my Serie A debut when I wasn’t yet 18,” Hamsik told the Corriere dello Sport.
“Naples is my home now and I am proud to be here. It’s a city where I live well and I don’t even feel like a foreigner. Naples is so much better than many stereotypes and prejudices would suggest. It’s a splendid city and the passion of the people, their intelligence, sense of humour and generosity are remarkable.
“I hope to continue my career at Napoli. We’ll see what happens. I live in Castel Volturno (where the Napoli training ground is situated) and they’re even going to make me an honorary citizen! I am very grateful and proud of all this.
“There is an incredible passion for football in Naples. The people are fiery and yet still experience it as a sport, albeit an important sport. It is the ideal environment for any player to thrive in.
“If you add on the marvellous sea and excellent food, it’s easy to see why those who come to Naples don’t want to leave.”
In sporting terms, however, Napoli haven’t won the Scudetto since the age of Diego Armando Maradona in the 1990s and came so close last season only to miss out again to Juventus.
“Quite simply, there are very strong opponents in Italy, teams built for years to win in Serie A and now seem built to win in Europe too.”
The Partenopei have moved from Sarri to Ancelotti and pre-season there were some dire performances that had fans hitting the panic button.
“Sarri is a man who belongs on the field, he lived the game 24/7. He was obsessed with football and never let even the slightest detail get by him.
“We are all happy with Ancelotti, as in a few short weeks he showed us that he is a wonderful, open person. He gives us a lot of advice, is good fun and it’s no coincidence he has won everywhere he went in his career.
“Everyone is a little sceptical after the summer friendlies, but we saw in the win against Lazio how much grit we bring to the table in competitive games.
“Napoli are still a good side that wants to play football and entertain the fans. We haven’t won much, so far, but we really want to.
“It’s still early to say how this season will go, but the team hasn’t really changed that much. Every player in our system is fundamental and so is the Coach, who brings his new ideas to a well-drilled unit, introducing them with balance and wisdom.”
Pepe Reina moved on to Milan this summer and will be on the bench this evening at the Stadio San Paolo.
“Reina is without doubt the most intelligent player I ever worked with. He has this wonderful brain and is a great person, a real leader.”