Lorenzo Insigne has revealed his desire for Napoli to one day retire his No 24, in a show of loyalty to his hometown club.
Insigne has worn the No 24 for the entirety of his career, despite calls for him to take Napoli’s 10, last worn by the legendary Diego Maradona.
“If what happened to Koulibaly didn’t happen, I don’t think I would’ve been sent off,” the Italy forward told DAZN.
“Sometimes I lose my head a bit because of my nervousness. I know I have to keep myself in check more.
Lorenzo Insigne has revealed his desire for Napoli to one day retire his No 24, in a show of loyalty to his hometown club.
Insigne has worn the No 24 for the entirety of his career, despite calls for him to take Napoli’s 10, last worn by the legendary Diego Maradona.
“If what happened to Koulibaly didn’t happen, I don’t think I would’ve been sent off,” the Italy forward told DAZN.
“Sometimes I lose my head a bit because of my nervousness. I know I have to keep myself in check more.
“Maradona’s 10? I’m very superstitious, plus I wear 24 because it's my wife’s birthday and it’s brought me luck.
“I really hope to stay in the heart of this city so that one day, Napoli also retire the No 24.”
Insigne then discussed former Napoli teammate Gonzalo Higuain, current Coach Carlo Ancelotti and his mentor at Foggia and Pescara, Zdenek Zeman.
“I haven’t heard from Higuain for a long time, he made his choice and I wish him good luck,” he added.
I have an excellent relationship with Ancelotti, he has it all. I’d always wanted to work with him because he’s won so much and I’ve always rated him.
“My change of role? He proposed it to me after the defeat to Samp. It was his intuition and I immediately opened myself [to the change].
“Zeman launched me and and if I’m the player I am today, a lot of it is down to him. Every day he’d weigh us in his office, but going in there was like being in Milan: all white and full of smoke!”