Kalidou Koulibaly has expressed his desire to win silverware with Napoli and assured that they ‘strongly believe’ in the comeback against Arsenal.
Napoli trail Arsenal 2-0 in their Europa League quarter-final ahead of Thursday’s second leg, while Koulibaly has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid in recent months.
“I’ve grown compared to five years ago but I haven’t won anything yet,” the defender told Corriere della Sera.
Kalidou Koulibaly has expressed his desire to win silverware with Napoli and assured that they ‘strongly believe’ in the comeback against Arsenal.
Napoli trail Arsenal 2-0 in their Europa League quarter-final ahead of Thursday’s second leg, while Koulibaly has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid in recent months.
“I’ve grown compared to five years ago but I haven’t won anything yet,” the defender told Corriere della Sera.
“You grow when there are trophies in your trophy cabinet. I hope to achieve that here in Naples.
“This year would be great and we’ll try to make it happen, otherwise it’ll be for next season.
“I’m a Napoli player and I’ll give 100 percent to win something with this shirt. The market is full of talk, I prefer facts, which help us win, and to become great together.
“Napoli have given me so much. After the initial skepticism, their fans appreciated me. I would like to give them a trophy back.
“To go through, we need ruthlessness, focus and our heads. We know how to do that and we strongly believe. The whole city must keep up with us. We need the general public.
Koulibaly has been racially abused twice this season, including in last week’s first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
He was asked about his own experiences, as well as those suffered by Juventus striker Moise Kean.
“I hadn't noticed anything, but I was happy with Arsenal’s reaction,” he explained, referring to the Gunners’ opening an investigation.
“Italy should use the Premier League as an example, but I think the road is long and difficult. Insults and violence, because that’s what happens, happen everywhere.
“I felt sorry for Moise, even though he responded on the field with a great goal, especially because someone criticised him for going near the Cagliari curva.
“He did nothing wrong, but what’s much worse is that no-one was shocked. Maybe it’s the colour of your skin that makes the difference.
“I often think back to the events at Inter, but that incident also helped me grow as a man. I always feel the strength to fight racism, but I realised that reacting on the field is counter-productive .”