Napoli’s Arkadiusz Milik believes he is a better player than before his ACL injury and jokes Juventus have won “enough” Scudetti in succession.
Speaking to La Repubblica for its Saturday edition, Milik also touched on his hopes for “the most beautiful season of my career” in 2017-18 and why “compliments are no longer enough” for the Partenopei.
“I missed the pitch a lot, I missed the goals and especially the adrenaline,” the striker told La Repubblica.
Napoli’s Arkadiusz Milik believes he is a better player than before his ACL injury and jokes Juventus have won “enough” Scudetti in succession.
Speaking to La Repubblica for its Saturday edition, Milik also touched on his hopes for “the most beautiful season of my career” in 2017-18 and why “compliments are no longer enough” for the Partenopei.
“I missed the pitch a lot, I missed the goals and especially the adrenaline,” the striker told La Repubblica.
“I didn’t imagine pulling through so strongly. I studied my body over the past few months and something went off in my head.
“It’s true: what doesn’t kill you makes you a stronger man and a better player.
“The season that just ended wasn’t wasted. I’m less afraid of the difficulties that lie ahead and I’ll know how to deal with the next one.
“Napoli can compete on all fronts, including the Coppa Italia. The World Cup is a dream, for me, but I’ll think about it later.
“It could be the most beautiful season of my career. I can’t wait to get back on the pitch and among the goals.
“I'm happy with how preseason’s started, but it’s just the beginning.
“We’re expecting a general test for the season against Chievo and after that comes the Champions League qualifier in August, which marks the first crucial crossroads of our season. We’ll have to be strong.
“My injury? I recovered as quickly as possible and I was already back with the squad in mid-January.
“I didn’t get the chance to rediscover my match-sharpness and my place in the team, but my teammates were doing well at the time and Sarri had to persist with them.
“I never felt like an outsider. Everyone’s continued to believe in me and Napoli has always made me feel important.
“Still, I’d lost the taste of being on the pitch and I couldn’t make the people I was close to happy. My family, teammates, fans… it was a pain.
“This season? Playing well is very rewarding, but compliments are no longer enough. Our objective is to win trophies. At the end of the season, we want to lift a trophy.
“Scudetto? Juve remain the favourites, they’ve won six Scudetti in a row and for a team, that’s enough!
“Maybe there’ll be room for someone else. Napoli, for example…”