Former Napoli captain Marek Hamsik was all smiles when discussing the team’s electric season and imminent Scudetto success, calling it an ‘immense joy’.
Luciano Spalletti’s side have looked unstoppable at points this season and sit clear at the top of the Serie A table, having a 17-point cushion over second place Lazio.
Napoli are now only weeks away from lifting their first Scudetto in over three decades, with stars like Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia becoming household names across Europe.
Speaking to Il Mattino, Hamsik first discussed his emotions as Napoli prepare to win the Scudetto.
“I am proud. It is an immense joy, I think of the Neapolitans who asked me every year to win this Scudetto. And now it has arrived. Finally.”
He touched on how important this victory is for the Napoli fans.
“Because for so long we have been close to it, we have only touched it. Many times, I imagined what this moment of immense joy for the city would be like. Because I know how people live Napoli, I know what Napoli is for their fans.
“Every time I met the fans they would say: ‘We have to win the Scudetto’. It’s a dream come true for everyone. And I’m happy for the team, for the directors, for the doctors, for the keepers of Castel Volturno. It is a victory for all of them.
“Napoli is a piece of me, this Scudetto is not mine but of those who fought and won it. I have experienced unforgettable celebrations, like for the Coppa Italia won in 2012, after 22 years of not winning anything.
“I know what the Neapolitans’ desire for rebirth is, I touched it with my own hands as soon as I arrived, with Lavezzi. And that’s why I’m happy.”
The Slovakian reflected on his arrival at the Partenopei back in July 2007.
“Pocho and I arrived with people saying, ‘Who are these two?’ And in the scepticism, we grew, protected by the team. As Kvara and Kim did this summer.
“Kvara only needed two games to show his power, his strength, his ability in the one-on-one to get past the man nine times out of ten and create superiority.”
Hamsik was asked to name his MVP for the season.
“My MVP of the season is Lobotka, and certainly not because he is a Slovakian like me. His talent, his coolness, his qualities have made Napoli’s game take a leap forward.”
He reflected on his advice to Napoli regarding Stanislav Lobotka.
“True, they asked me what I thought when they started to deal with him at Celta Vigo. I didn’t hesitate: ‘Sign him and for ten years you will have solved the regista problem’.
“They listened to me and I’m happy. I hear from him often, as I hear from other teammates. I know that for them it is a magical moment that they must enjoy to the full. Even for those like us who have only touched it.”
He looked back at Napoli’s failed title charge in 2018.
“I think about it, but I moved on. Like everyone. Then what matters is that the happy moments of such a beautiful adventure as the one in Napoli remain in the mind. So, I put that disappointment aside and in my heart there is only room for the trophies we won.”
The 35-year-old commented on the Scudetto celebrations in the Campania capital.
“I know the passion of the Neapolitans. Last year, here in Trabzon, they organised six parties for the Turkish title they won.
“I think it will be the same in Naples, with hundreds of thousands of people in the streets to pay homage to this extraordinary feat that is unlike anything I have seen in my years.
“I have always imagined this celebration, I will enjoy it from afar.”
Hamsik was asked when he started to believe in Napoli’s chances this season.
“Having seen one after the other those Champions League tests at the start of the season with Liverpool and then in Glasgow and Amsterdam kindled hope in me.
“But the difference compared to the past was the consistency of performance and results. Napoli have won important points in every match, putting on a show, dominating the opponents and digging a gap day after day.”
He highlighted the strong competition in Serie A this campaign.
“It doesn’t seem to me that the rivals were less weak than in other years. Italy have Inter and Milan in the semi-finals of the Champions League and many others in the Europa League and Conference League. It means that Napoli’s dominance stems from their strength.”
The former Napoli captain spoke about what this Scudetto means for club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
“Yes, he wanted to win, it’s not true that he wasn’t aiming to win the Scudetto. I saw him happy after winning the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa, I can imagine how he will be now.”
He was asked if he was disappointed about the Champions League elimination.
“There’s definitely a bit of disappointment, Napoli are stronger than Milan, the league table clearly says so. But the Scudetto is worth so much, it’s something extraordinary that makes you forget everything.”
Hamsik touched on his failure to win a league title with Napoli.
“I have no regrets. I did everything I could to win the Scudetto. I gave every ounce of my energy to win it in my 12 years. As did all my teammates. I carry in my heart the victories that gave us Champions League qualification, the Champions League anthem at the San Paolo…”
Finally, Hamsik was asked if he was planning to retire at the end of this season.
“I don’t know. It’s something I don’t want to think about right now. I think about finishing the season at Trabzonspor and then I’ll draw conclusions. Maybe I’ll come to Naples in June, I know the fans, they’ll still be celebrating the Scudetto.”