Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka admits it is flattering to have ‘childhood idol Xavi praising the way I play’ and won’t shut the door to a Barcelona move.
The Slovakia international has been named outright by Barcelona chiefs as one of their main transfer targets for next season, with President Joan Laporta confirming talks were held between director Deco, coach Xavi and agent Branislav Jaursek.
Flying back from international duty, Lobotka was asked by local television station RTVS about the comments.
“I am thinking about Napoli, as we have a very important game to play on Saturday. Of course, it is very pleasing to have my childhood idol, Xavi, praising the way I play.
“That gives me the energy to keep going and continue working to improve myself. We’ll see what happens in the summer.”
The 29-year-old was signed from Celta Vigo in January 2020 for €21m, so already has some experience of playing in LaLiga.
His contract with Napoli runs to June 2027, although there is also an option for the club to extend by one more year.
He has 52 senior caps for Slovakia, contributing four goals and four assists.
A key part of the Scudetto-winning campaign under Luciano Spalletti, he was scouted by Carlo Ancelotti from Celta Vigo to Serie A.
#Lobotka a RTVS: “Barcellona? Sono un giocatore del Napoli. Certo, è un piacere quando il tuo idolo d'infanzia (Xavi) ti loda per come giochi, mi dà energia per continuare a lavorare su me stesso. Vedremo cosa succederà in estate”. pic.twitter.com/HQ2PxwTMom
— Gianmarco Giordano (@GianmarcoGio) March 27, 2024