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The Belgian attacker has also taken to social media to apologize for the comparisons that have occurred between the two.
Dries Mertens said it was “difficult to put on that jersey” after Napoli wore the famous number 10 jersey honoring Diego Maradona before their Europa League win over Rijeka.
Argentina and Napoli’s great Maradona, arguably the greatest soccer player in history, died of natural causes at the age of 60 on Wednesday.
Napoli’s first game since the passing of their most iconic star this week was played to the noise of songs and fireworks despite the empty stands at Stadio San Paolo, where Maradona led the Italian team to unprecedented success at the Scudetto in 1987 and 1990.
Captain Lorenzo Insigne laid a wreath before kick-off on Thursday, while the Napoli team lined up in ‘Maradona 10’ jerseys, a jersey that was removed long before Maradona’s death. The name of the World Cup winner was displayed on the edge of the field in Naples.
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Reflecting on the emotional night, in which Napoli defeated Croatian visitor Rijeka 2-0, Mertens said Sky Sport Italia: “It was a terrible moment for me, so I can only imagine how those who lived their time at Napoli must have felt.
“He had a great impact on this city and for everyone in southern Italy. I want to be positive and focus on my memories of a smiling man who loved football.”
“It was hard to put that shirt on. In a way, it was always a dream, but not like this.”
– Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) November 26, 2020
Mertens is Napoli’s all-time top scorer with 128 in all competitions since he joined the club in 2013.
The Belgian international walked away from Marek Hamsik (121) at the top of the list in June, after surpassing Maradona (115) to move to second place last year.
Mertens used social media to apologize to Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata head coach Maradona on Wednesday, writing via Instagram: “You were the first thing that came to mind when I signed for Napoli. Wearing the blue jersey will mean even more from now on.
“Napoli lost part of his soul today. You were, and always will be, an inspiration to all of us. If ever my name has been next to yours, I apologize, I will never be at your level. What you did for” our “city It will go down in history forever. It was an honor to have met you. Forever my idol. “
Asked about his apology, Mertens said: “I apologized, because my name was used in the same sentence as his and that is not correct. He was and always will be unique.”
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