Kvicha Kvaratskhelia says realising Napoli would win the Scudetto was the ‘best day of my life’ and how he still tries to bring street football to the world’s biggest stadiums.
The Georgia international arrived as a relative unknown from Dinamo Batumi, but in his debut Serie A season won the title and became a household name.
He looks back over that achievement in a video interview with the Lega Serie A Channel.
“I used to play with my friends in the streets. That’s where I grew up. I think you can see it in the way that I play. You take a lot of touches, you love to have the ball at your feet.
“Now that I play on proper pitches in big stadiums, I still try to play like I used to in the streets.”
Napoli fans nicknamed him ‘Kvaradona’ in tribute to club legend Diego Armando Maradona, after whom the stadium is named.
“I think it’s crazy when people compare me to him. But for me it’s a pleasure of course, and an honour. Wearing the same shirt he wore makes us proud.
“Before I came to Napoli, my father always used to tell me Maradona was the best player ever, that he was his idol.”
Although he was a surprise in his first season, the opposition teams started to work out some of Kvara’s tricks and he knows that he must evolve.
“In Serie A the goalkeepers are very good, so if your finishing is average, they will block every shot. You have to be at your best to beat them. That’s why we work every day to improve our shooting and become better players.
“If you have talent and don’t work hard, you will fall short.”
This was their first Scudetto in over 30 years and the decisive moment was the victory away to Juventus.
“When we got back to the airport, it was unbelievable. I cannot express that feeling with words. The whole city was in the streets, they were all waiting for the team coach, everyone was shouting and singing. It’s something you cannot imaging.
“I can say that was the best day of my life.”
Kvaratskhelia is certainly enjoying life in Naples, watching the sea and eating the local food, but there are reports he could move on to the Premier League or LaLiga.
“I learned so much here, not just in football, but in life. Being part of this city is a wonderful experience. Should I end up leaving, I’m sure I would miss so many things.”