Luciano Spalletti congratulates Santos, who did not retire Pele’s No.10 shirt and hopes to see the same at Napoli: ‘It would give more responsibility.’
Napoli retired Maradona’s No.10 shirt in 2000, as a tribute to the Argentinean legend who had helped the Partenopei win the only two Serie A titles in their history.
Santos refused to do the same after Pele’s death last week and Spalletti praised the Brazilian club during today’s press conference.
“I want to congratulate those who decided not to retire Pele’s No.10, meeting his request,” said Spalletti as quoted by TMW.
“He [Pele] was a modern person. When you retire a shirt, you no longer see it. The No.10 should be shown as many times as possible. I don’t understand some things, but congratulation to those who didn’t retire the No.10.”
Would he like to see the same at Napoli?
“I think it is correct to wear the number of great players, seeing it every day gives more responsibility to those wearing it and also to their teammates who would be motivated to reach that level.”
Maradona died on November 25, 2020, and Napoli have then named their stadium after the Argentinean legend.
El Pibe de Oro is regarded as the most iconic player in the history of the club, having helped the Azzurri win two Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, one Italian Supercup and one UEFA Cup. He scored 115 goals in 259 games with the Partenopei, playing under the Vesuvius from 1984 until 1991.