Gio Simeone, honored to play “in Maradona’s homeland”

Argentinian Giovanni Simeone, newly signed by Napoli, announced this Thursday in his first press conference as a player of the Partenopeo club that he will do “everything possible to live it up” in what is “Maradona’s homeland” .

The relationship between Argentine Diego Armando Maradona and the southern city of Naples remains intact, so for ‘Cholito’ Simeone it is an honor and a challenge to wear the ‘azzurro’ club shirt and live in Diego’s “homeland” .

“It’s an honor to be in Naples, I’m very happy to be here because I’ve always wanted a warm atmosphere and a unique place like this. I’ll live the jersey with the passion that we Argentines have,” assured Gio.

“I know that this is the homeland of Maradona and that the champions of Argentina with great value have played here, so I will do everything to live up to the history of this city,” added the scorer.

The emotional message of the proud father

‘Cholito’ admitted that his father, Diego Pablo Simeone, coach of Atlético de Madrid, congratulated him on the signing with a message that moved the 27-year-old striker.

“My father was very happy when he found out that I was going to Naples. He sent me a message telling me that all Argentines dream of wearing the shirt that belongs to Maradona. I was touched,” said he.

Last season was the striker’s highlight in Italy as he finished as the fourth top scorer with 17 goals, as a key part of a Verona team that finished in the top ten in what was a historic season for the club.

The champions, his challenge

Today, Simeone has made a great Italian and will play in the Champions League, one of his dreams: “Playing in the Champions League was my dream as a child, doing it with Napoli is more important”

The Argentine international declared that he had offers from other clubs, but his decision was clear from the start: “I have many requests, but I have only one in mind: to go to Naples. Proposals have also come from important teams , but I only want this city that is unique to me”.

“I chose Napoli because I know I can make a qualitative leap here. I like the fans, every time I enter the stadium as a rival I am afraid that people will eat me. The stadium is for me. Naples makes me feel I’m at home, it makes me feel Argentina and now I want to learn Neapolitan right away to be a living part of this city,” explained Simeone.

he will wear ’18’

With the number 18 on his back, Simeone has not yet made his debut, but between his eyebrows he has to score his first goal: “Scoring a goal with a Napoli shirt is for me it’s a wish that I really want to fulfill, but I know that there will be a right time to achieve it. My goal is to be ready and always at the best level every time I step on the field.”