In seven days time, Lorenzo Insigne will play in front of the Napoli faithful at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the final time, a fact that has fans divided in their reaction.
The 30-year-old Italian winger has not had a particularly simple season following last summer’s Euro 2020 victory and the announcement that he’ll be joining MLS side Toronto FC in January certainly upset the Partenopei fans, who were upset to lose their talisman following a contract disagreement with president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Insigne has failed to impress on the pitch this season for Napoli and he missed a penalty in yesterday’s 1-0 win over Torino, another example of his inconsistent form. Whilst the club are preparing to celebrate the Italian winger’s final home game, the fans are much more divided, with some ready to finally say goodbye after a forgettable year.
The Napoli captain made his debut for the first team on January 24 2010 and now, 12 and a half years later, he’s preparing to wave goodbye to the home fans, ready for a new adventure across the Atlantic.
#Napoli, nuova pioggia di critiche per #Insigne: l'ultima recita al Maradona rischia di essere un incubo [di @giovanniannun] https://t.co/Lqse1hQaOD pic.twitter.com/1uKUJJi5T2
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) May 8, 2022
Big mistake for both parties going to Toronto. I don’t see this working out other than his pockets being full.
Time to let him go, he’s been awful this season. Time to think of the future now.
I agree John Smith, Insigne had a poor season, and I don’t understand why Mertens is on the bench so often, he should have been used instead of Insigne.
Still, we should wish the local lad all the best, overall he’s served the club very well.
Bye. Should have been benched when he announced signing with Toronto, giving someone else in Naolis future a chance to start. Go enjoy Canada. Napoli gave him a career and plenty of money.
Insigne had one the best seasons of his career last year and Napoli had two great options. Extend him (for at the bare minimum his current salary) or sell him for millions. They chose neither and instead disrespected a club legend and let him walk for free. To have the season he had last year and then be told that he would only be extended if he takes a 50% pay cut is beyond ridiculous. I don’t blame him for having a down season. It is easy as a fan to say that he should show up and give full effort if he truly loves the club and city, but there is not one person on earth who would be disrespected like that and then still show up to work every day enthusiastic and giving 100%. I wish him luck in Toronto.
So happy to see him going to Canada. While he may not have a fantastic season like some people say, he help influenced many of the players, fans, and staff around hi, and despite his inconsistent form, he is still no doubt, a player still in his prime, although in its waning period, and hope that he can continue to make an impact at Toronto like his predecessor Sebastian Giovinco! (: Grazie captaino!