Kim Min-jae is still stunned by the Scudetto celebrations at Napoli, revealing what life is like for the South Korea international in Naples and why the fans can make him ‘uncomfortable’ with their adoration.
The defender was a key figure in their title-winning exploits, the first Serie A triumph for the club since 1990 and the age of Diego Armando Maradona.
“I am very happy to have won the Scudetto,” Kim told KFA in his home country.
“I wonder to myself if I will ever again be able to experience these scenes in future, to ever again see a celebration like that in my life.
“The victory was a completely new experience for me. All the parties, the shouting, dancing, leaping around, it’s new to me. I only really understood we had won when I saw the Neapolitan people celebrating everywhere.”
Kim Min-jae was brought in from Fenerbahce to replace Napoli hero Kalidou Koulibaly and it took him under a year to fill that spot in the hearts of the locals.
As Maradona and others before him have realised, though, the passion of the Neapolitan people can at times be a little too overwhelming.
“I must thank the Neapolitan people for their affection, I feel it everywhere I go, in bars and restaurants. I admit that I sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable, because I want to pay with my money, but they offer everything on the house. Or there’s one price on the menu and they give me a discount just for me. I can only be grateful to them.”
The South Korea international’s future remains a mystery, especially as there is a release clause in his contract that can vary from €45m to €50m, valid only for clubs outside of Italy in two weeks of July.
That does not come into effect until the summer of 2024, so a sale this term could even provide a higher figure on the transfer market with Manchester United and Manchester City both interested.
He was purchased from Fenerbahce for just €20m and his value has since sky-rocketed.
Lovely affection