Cyril Ngonge: The Belgian Striker’s Journey to Napoli and Champions League Redemption

Until the last minute, the suspense was complete. Finally, Cyril Ngonge (23 years old) will be in the Neapolitan group for this trip to Barcelona. The Belgian striker recovered just in time from the knee injury suffered just before the first leg. “This is the first muscle injury of my career. And again, it was more because of a hit in training and a twist. Which led to collateral damage. But I am now back,” says the young Belgian who promised us, upon signing in Naples, to give us his very first post-transfer interview. There she is.

You will therefore be in Barcelona this Tuesday evening. Your first and last Champions League match was with Bruges against Atletico Madrid.

“Yes, a great memory. I actually have it tattooed on my arm: it says: ‘December 2018’.”

Did you imagine at the time that it would take more than five years to return to this competition?

“No, I didn’t think it would take this long. But everyone has a different journey and mine was full of pitfalls, ups and downs. And today, I am where I need to be, being able to play important matches like that. Maybe it took longer than expected, but the work paid off in the end.”

Is January 19 also a date that you will tattoo on your arm?

“Not yet, but thanks for giving me the idea (laughs). It’s true that it’s the date of my signing in Verona in 2023 and my signing in Naples in 2024.”

Twelve months between these two transfers is also a symbol of what happened to you.

“It happened very quickly. In a good way this time. But it also went very quickly in the other direction when I was in Bruges. I was put on a pedestal with Ivan Leko to the point of playing in the Champions League, then I didn’t play for the rest of the season. Sometimes, when I’m at home, I tell myself that I was still struggling in Groningen less than a year and a half ago. And then I had this opportunity in Verona that I couldn’t pass up. I couldn’t waste my qualities, I just lacked that little click that I had there.”

However, Italy was not your priority at that time.

“Some people misinterpreted when I said that. But now that I’m here, I don’t want to leave. I really took over this country, this culture and this language. I feel really good here and I see myself spending a few more years here.”

Is it this winding path that made you so mature at your age?

“Yes. My time in Bruges allowed me to be the man I am today. I left Anderlecht to go there when I was 14. When you leave home at that age, and have to adapt to another language, another culture, another team where you don’t know anyone, it’s too many changes at the same time. I strengthened myself mentally thanks to that, because I had to take responsibilities when I was very young, I had to take care of myself. Then with the footballing ups and downs, it also allowed me to build my character. I now always expect the worst and if it happens, I am ready to take it and react in the right way.”

gull

But when the offer from Naples arrived on paper, it was very difficult to refuse.

Let’s come back to your arrival in Naples. How did this come about?

“The transfer happened quite quickly. I met the people at the club first in person. They explained the project and the ambitions to me. Initially, I wanted to finish the season with Verona to help them stay in Serie A. But when the Napoli offer came on paper and there was a 4 and a half year contract tied to all the promises we made me, it was very difficult to refuse. And a few days later, I was in Rome to complete the transfer. Verona was playing against AS Roma, so I went to see them at the hotel and I said goodbye at that time to the players, the coach and the president.”

Do you think your bicycle entry against Udinese (December 3) helped speed things up?

“Maybe. But I prefer to believe that it was my performances over twelve months that made Naples want to make the transfer. In any case, they explained to me that they had been watching me for a while and that they were looking for a player like me to try to improve the situation this season.”

From your second appearance in the game with Naples, you make the difference… against Verona.

“Yes, it seems like it was written, that this match was made for me to score. There was a lot of emotion and it ended well.”

Cyril Ngonge already heroic with Naples: “I wanted to change this match”

But the goal was taken away from you afterwards. The opposing defender is really touching her?

“The ball is touched because the player is in front of me. But if we take away this goal, we have to take away many others from many players.”

There was Genoa two weeks later to catch you up.

“Yes, it made me happy to score this first goal in front of the fans. But the circumstances of the goal were not positive (Editor’s note: 1-1).”

Cyril Ngonge with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia. ©NapoliSSC

It was indeed Walter Mazzarri’s last match on the bench. How did you experience this?

“It was a bit of a shock, because there was the first leg against Barça two days later. We didn’t really expect it. But in the end, I think it paid off, because a very competent new coach arrived. I had a direct discussion with him and it was very positive.”

You beat Juventus ten days ago. Is the top 4 still possible despite the 7 points behind Bologna?

“I already have the conviction that Italy will take a 5th ticket for the Champions League thanks to the coefficient. But yes, the objective remains to reach 5th or 4th place. With the quality that is in this team, one or two victories will be enough to get the train moving again. And once we get going, it’ll be hard to stop us.”

Coach Francesco Calzona, does he see you more on the wing or up front?

“He clearly wants me to be on the right wing in the 4-3-3. We sometimes vary positioning in the way we play, but he will always put me on the right. He told me clearly that he did not want to put me in No. 9 because there are already three for this position.”

Coffee seller, Sarri loyalist, visionary for Mertens and Euro 2024, Francesco Calzona must relaunch Naples: “We have reset everything”

With obviously Victor Osimhen. His return from the Can did good for the team.

“Clearly. His energy in training and in matches brings us a lot. It’s a positive element that allows us to get back on track.”

Naples is also another dimension. Everything is bigger: the city, the stadium, the pressure… Isn’t it difficult to manage?

“I’m a pretty simple guy who likes interacting with people. I’m quite sociable and it gives me pleasure to see the intensity that the fans give for their team and how they experience football. I feel like I have three lungs when I play in front of them. They give an incredible adrenaline rush.”

Does playing in a stadium named after Diego Maradona also add pressure?

“It’s quite an honor to be able to play under his name. He marked the history of this club and this city. You can feel the impact he had here.”

A legend, a savior and an enigma: the Belgians with contrasting reputations in Naples

Another club legend is Dries Mertens. Shall we tell you about it?

“When I arrived, there were obviously comparisons. Especially since my name is Cyril and he was nicknamed Ciro. This Belgian link was very quickly made. Obviously I can’t claim to be 1% of what he accomplished here, but I will also try to make history here, in my own way.”

gull

I understand Dendoncker’s disappointment.

You didn’t stay very long as the only Belgian in the club. Leander Dendoncker signed ten days later. But it doesn’t necessarily turn out as he would have hoped.

“I get along very well with Leander; we spend a lot of time together and I am sometimes his translator. But I understand his disappointment. You change clubs to have more playing time and you don’t play either. However, he impresses me every day in training. He works like crazy and he doesn’t give up. I respect him a lot for that.”

The transition is ready for the Red Devils. You are now at a big club, the coach can no longer ignore you. Have you ever spoken to him since?

“He had contact with my agent, but not with me personally. This injury did not help, unfortunately, because I felt that there was a way for this March selection. But it remains a goal that is getting closer and closer. If I come back well, I hope to at least come into consideration.”

gull

The DRC coach contacted me a week ago.

There will only be 23 called up for the Euro. Are you thinking of September instead?

“We’ll see. In any case, I hope that my performances will achieve something. But I don’t tell myself that I must be selected at all costs. I keep my head down and continue to do my job. Then we will do the accounts at the end of the year.

But you also have dual Congolese nationality…

“Yes. And the national team coach contacted me a week ago. I told him that my choice had not yet been made.”

Cyril Ngonge, a good surprise for the Euro: “Tedesco can no longer ignore him”
2024-03-12 05:47:00
#Cyril #Ngonge #chose #give #interview #Naples #DRC #contacted #Tedesco #spoke #agent