Lorenzo Insigne recalls Diego Armando Maradona’s speech to Napoli players before a Champions League meeting with Real Madrid in 2017 and is convinced the Partenopei will fight for the Scudetto with Walter Mazzarri.
The 32-year-old, a product of Napoli’s academy left the Stadio Maradona in 2022 and has now returned to Naples for holidays as his Toronto FC side have not qualified for the MLS play-offs.
He moved to Canada at the end of the 2021-22 Serie A campaign, signing a contract until 2026.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with affection and we didn’t expect it,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“The club and the Italian community have been extraordinary and we are happy, the kids too. Schools are well-equipped and they do a lot of sport. I am not a father who imposes football, they must have fun.”
Insigne has already visited his friends and former teammates at Castel Volturno.
“I do it every year, I go to the training centre to meet my ex-teammates. I am still the first fan and I have one more reason now because Walter Mazzarri is back,” he said.
“He had given me my Serie A debut and I wanted to wish him good luck in person. He is a good person and he deserves this second chance. I am sure he will do well and bring Napoli where they deserve.”
Napoli will visit Real Madrid at the Estadio Bernabeu on Wednesday. It’s a special fixture for Insigne who scored one of the best goals of his career in Madrid’s home in 2017 in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 with Maurizio Sarri in charge.
“It was the first time I stepped into the Bernabeu and it was all thrilling. To play there against a legendary club like Real Madrid is unique,” he said.
“You feel a different atmosphere, magical. When they play in the Champions League they transform themselves, they seem superheroes. The Bernabeu gives adrenaline, you feel a different pressure. When you enter the stadium and look up, you feel like the stands never end. You realise you are inside a football temple.”
Napoli legend Diego Armando Maradona was at the stadium that night and delivered a speech to Napoli players before kick-off.
“Diego’s speech was the most thrilling thing of that night, beyond my goal,” Insigne recalled.
“We found him inside the dressing room after the warmup. He will forever be an icon for us Napeolitans.”
Mazzarri won on his ‘second’ debut on Napoli’s bench on Saturday, beating Atalanta 2-1 away and Insigne feels the Partenopei can get back into the Serie A title race.
“Napoli have quality players and they can climb the table,” said the Italian winger.
“I don’t know if there was no feeling between Garcia and the players, but I am sure that with Mazzarri they will compete for the top placements again. I watched Juventus. Inter and I feel Napoli are not inferior, they can fight for the Scudetto again.”
The Partenopei won their first Scudetto in 33 years last season with Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among the standout performers.
“Spalletti’s work is behind Victor’s growth. He used to burn mental energies, falling into the opponents’ provocations. If he is not calm, he can’t give his best,” noted Insigne.
“He was more in control last year and he made the difference. He has improved technically and he has great qualities. With Spalletti, he managed to make them available for the team.
“Kvaratskhelia? I didn’t know him. He’s very strong and I congratulated him via social media, he really is a champion.
“I dreamed of winning the Scudetto as the captain. We came close many times, but we never achieved the feat. Unfortunately, nobody remembers about you when you don’t win, but I was super happy with last season’s victory as a fan. Players and staff did an incredible work.”