Napoli legend Marek Hamsik sees similarities between his and Lorenzo Insigne’s farewell to the club and confirms he snubbed moves to Juventus, Milan and Inter.
Hamsik left Napoli in February 2019 after becoming the player with the most appearances and goals across all competitions. His contract at the club would have expired in 2020.
“It was a huge love story. I have many friends at the club. I talk to Aurelio De Laurentiis when I can, who has always shown me his affection. I am in touch with Maurizio Micheli, Napoli’s chief scout. I owe him a lot. He is the one who brought me to Italy [at Brescia] for the first time,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport.
Hamsik didn’t have a proper farewell game before leaving the club and sees similarities between his farewell and Lorenzo Insigne’s. The Italy international will join Toronto as a free agent in June.
“Lorenzo’s history is very similar to mine. Everything happened very quickly, the season was ongoing when I left,” said Hamsik.
“However, it’s never too late to meet again, perhaps we could organise a game at the San Paolo [Stadio Maradona now]. If they want me to return with a role at the club after the end of my career, I’d be ready.
“I didn’t forget anything. The Coppa Italia, the Supercups, emotions, memories. A Serie A title would have been deserved, we were really close.”
Massimiliano Allegri wanted to sign Hamsik at Milan and Juventus, while Walter Mazzarri tried to bring him to Inter, but Hamsik never thought about leaving Naples.
“Now I can say that I was proud to attract interest from an important coach such as Allegri,” he said.
“I never talked to him directly, but I know he considered me worthy of playing with him and that he would be pleased [to have me in his teams].”
“Inter? I can’t deny it, but I never thought about leaving Napoli. I could have never done it.”
