The years pass, managers change and attacking partners come and go, but Mertens has remained fundamental for Napoli. The Belgian has scored five times in seven matches and has spoke on his time in Naples. "After seven years here, I feel Napoletano. How beautiful is it when they sing my name? They've seen that since I've been here, I give it my all on the pitch. It's beautiful to live in Naples, it's all perfect."
On his next match against Torino, whom he scored 4 goals against in 2016/17. "What a moment that was. The week before I scored three goals against Cagliari, then four others at Toro. In any case, they're a great team. They have a manager that puts out physical players. They're all strong individually, we must give our all."
Also because Napoli cannot mess up right now. They are six points behind table leaders Inter, and any mistakes now may complicate their scudetto chase. "The fight for the league is more open because Juventus has had some difficultly winning easily like they had before. But they're getting points, Like Inter. You cannot lose points, you must continue to give your all and work at 100%.
"Here in Naples, football is a beautiful illness. At my place, on the floor above, a 75 year old woman lives. Every morning she comes over to tell me that I played well. If the presentation was bad, she gives me a few slaps!"
On his personal objective to reach Hamsik, Napoli's top goal scorer. "Certainly, in the last matches he scored a bunch of goals thanks to my assists, maybe I should've given him less! If I exceed him, I'll surely call him. Who would've said this six years ago? It means that I was important for this city."
