Mark Hamsikformer captain of Napoli, told Dazn: “I would like to make the children grow up, I know that I can give them something and pass on to them what I have managed to do. Will they call me mister? Maybe.
Scudetto with Trabzonspor? He had been waiting 38 years to win it and the celebrations were incredible, they threw six parties and one of them even went strong on Instagram with 80 ships sailing in the sea and celebrating. At the end of the game I spent half an hour celebrating with the fans and when I returned to the locker room the celebrations of my teammates were over but with me they resumed (laughs, ed)”.
If Napoli called me, it would be difficult to say no. Ready to close it in Naples? Why not…
Leave Naples? There were teams that wanted me. In 2012 Allegri wanted me at Milan, then Mazzarri at Inter, Juve, she was impossible (laughs, ed). There were some calls with Nedved but I never thought about it. I’ve never needed to change. I was happy and renewed five times in twelve years which is quite a number. The club gave me what I wanted, I was happy, my family too, and the fans loved me more and more. I say it: if China didn’t arrive, I would have ended my career at Napoli.
Most attendance? Records are meant to be broken, but this one won’t be easy to break. Bruscolotti had it before me and it lasted many years. I never imagined making this career at Napoli. I didn’t even know what this city meant, I came from Slovakia, but from day one I realized that football is experienced differently than elsewhere.
When did I return to the stadium? I was thrilled to read that banner, getting into the hearts of the fans like this isn’t for everyone. I have always said that I love Naples and I will always love it. They gave me so much and I gladly spent 12 years there. It’s not easy for us to move around the city, hiding or wearing hats, or going to restaurants where you find fewer people, it’s not easy and each of us has vices or behaviors or reactions like her. Even I sometimes couldn’t take it anymore and…. I got angry. It’s okay, even the fans must understand that it’s not easy for us, but we accept it, it’s their affection, it’s love.
Maradona? For us Neapolitans he is number one, he is the greatest footballer in the world. I dedicated him to him when I broke his goal record.
Criticisms when I arrived with Lavezzi? It’s true, thousands of fans protested not us but the club. In the end, the company was right…
About Lawrence? I’ve only had good relationships, I don’t talk much but I’ve always talked to him with serenity and never problems. It’s a relationship that goes on over the years and we also talk about my after-career. I heard him at the beginning of the year, he told me: when you finish playing football let me know and we can talk about the future together. We haven’t gotten to this point yet but if he calls me it would be hard to say no.
In my city I have my academy with more than 300 children of all categories, I’m building soccer fields, I want to take care of this, take care of it and be a coach to help other Hamsiks grow. But the ball still doesn’t run like with Sarri, but this is my future.
Template? I like Sarri, Guardiola, those who play football. Sarri left his mark on me.
Mazzarri gave a strong group identity, even the famous trident came out, we won the Italian Cup after 20 years, we will never forget that party. Naples exploded with me.
Me with Lavezzi and Cavani? One of the strongest tridents Napoli has ever had. Il Pocho and Cavani made an incredible career moving to PSG, one of the strongest teams in the world
Benitez was a great coach, with him came Albiol, Reina, Higuain, players of international level. Then came Sarri, for three years with him in mind we always played two touches, imagine at what speed of thought you had to move the ball and we did it for three years. As a footballer I had a lot of fun, all of Europe followed us, it was Play Station, we played by heart. Sometimes the coach turned his back, it was enough for him to feel the ball and he understood that we were playing together. If I did one more touch… he smoked 50 cigarettes (laughs, ed).
Scudetto lost in 2018? We were one step away from victory, it was a shame we didn’t succeed, but this is football, sorry but that’s how it went, this is life. In the end I managed to win the Scudetto, unfortunately not in Naples.
Koulibaly, Insigne, Mertens away? It’s incredible to see this Napoli without the three most important players. Everyone needs symbols, someone who represents the club, for the fans it was a shame but I have to say well done Napoli who have taken players who play great with good results like Kim, Kvara, Osi and have also reduced salaries. Kvara has incredible dribbling ease, he’s among the best in the world.
Good year? It is not said… but they started very strong, we are halfway through, they are devastating everyone in the league, it is going like the train. I hope you keep going so fast.
Spalletti? I heard him when he was about to sign with Napoli, he asked me about Lobotka and said: talk to him and tell him to be calm because the one from Celta Vigo will play and return. He was right.”
