Article by Elliott Martin
Diego Maradona, Marek Hamsik. Captains that both embody the Neapolitan spirit in their own symbolic ways. Maradona, fuelled by pure capability quickly became a leader, the general of the Naples army directing the sporting war against those North of the Italian Peninsula. Star quality bred star quality and midway through his stay in Italy came Napoli’s first ever Serie A title. David Goldblatt, sports writer for the Guardian, described the scenes saying “The world was turned upside down. The Neapolitans held mock funerals for Juventus and Milan, burning their coffins, their death notices announcing ‘May 1987, the other Italy has been defeated. A new empire is born’”
When Maradona left Naples amidst a drugs scandal, Napoli finished fourth. Sixteen years later, when a fresh faced 20-year-old Slovak entered the squad Napoli had just gained automatic promotion back to the top flight. Marek Hamsik idolised Pavel Nedved but wanted to bring joy to those in Naples, not realising he would perhaps go on to break a record set by their most influential player of all time. The first goal came in the first game; Lavezzi drilling across, Hamsik diverting into the far corner. Run to crowd, hands to ears. The eighth goal came in the 92nd minute, as late a winner as possible against Palermo. Run to crowd, style hair. The sixteenth goal sparked a comeback victory against Juventus. Run to crowd, hands to ears. The 28th and 29th goals kicked off another win against Juventus, this time in Turin and two goals down. Run to crowd. The 32nd goal was a flying leveller against Juventus again sparking a revival. Run to crowd, smack badge. The 49th goal was a left footed volley to open the scoring in Napoli’s first ever Champions League win at home to Villarreal. The 59thgoal clinched a 2-0 victory against Scudetto winners Juventus in the Coppa Italia final, his deft finish securing the Partenopei’s first trophy in 21 years. Knee slide to crowd, sob. The 62nd goal was his first as captain, a role he would soon take over from the departing Paolo Cannavaro. Kick corner flag, stare at camera. The 80thgoal was in his home country of Slovakia against his first professional club Slovian Bratislava. Point to crowd. The 100th goal was a left foot rocket into the top corner against Chievo. Run to corner, celebrate with whole team. The 107th, 108th and 109th goals made up the first senior hat-trick of his career, all three sensational. Run to corner, punch air. The next goal will equal Diego Maradona’s 115 goal record, Hamsik telling Corriere Dello Sport that “The day I happen to match him and beat him, I’ll be proud of myself.”
Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani, Gonzalo Higuain and plenty more have all departed. Ten years, 465 games, five managers, two sons, countless tattoos and one infamous hairstyle later, Marek Hamsik is still in Naples. Dreaming of the title.
