Diego Maradona is proud that Dries Mertens surpassed his goals tally for Napoli and has urged the Belgian to lower his demands.
Mertens’ brace against Red Bull Salzburg saw him overtake Maradona as he moved on to 116 goals for Napoli, but his contract expires at the end of the season and he has been linked with a lucrative move to China.
“It didn’t fool me,” the Argentine icon told Corriere dello Sport
Diego Maradona is proud that Dries Mertens surpassed his goals tally for Napoli and has urged the Belgian to lower his demands.
Mertens’ brace against Red Bull Salzburg saw him overtake Maradona as he moved on to 116 goals for Napoli, but his contract expires at the end of the season and he has been linked with a lucrative move to China.
“It didn’t fool me,” the Argentine icon told Corriere dello Sport
“For me, it wasn’t a disappointment. In fact, I applauded Mertens. When he scored, I thought about Napoli and certainly not myself.
“I watch all their games; especially those in the Champions League. The game against Salzburg was exciting, not beautiful but nice enough because when you win it’s always great.
“Mertens was born to be a striker, but he didn’t know. All his goals couldn’t be scored by someone who isn’t a striker at heart.
“I’d like to do something so that Mertens doesn’t leave. If it’s right and sacrosanct for a professional to always look for a better salary, but it’s also true that in no other corner of the world would he feel loved, respected, pampered and important like he does in Naples.
“Therefore, dear President, don’t let him get away. He’s over 30 years old, I know, but he runs, plays and scores goals with the freshness and enthusiasm of a young lad.
“Then, if he really should leave, Mertens should know that in La Plata, there will always be a place for him at my Gimnasia.”