Lorenzo Insigne

“Rafa Benitez? In his system, the defensive side which I had previously neglected was fundamental, with Rafa I learned to play both phases with the same intensity.”

“I've heard people say soccer in North America is not real soccer. But I've seen it and it's not true.”

“When people speak bad about Napoli, they need to wake up. Even God himself loved it here. And by God, of course I mean Mr. Maradona.”

“I didn't think about anything but football.”

“I would rather have my actions speak for me on the pitch.”

“I don't like to cause controversy.”

“Every time I go out to play at San Paolo, I get goosebumps. Because I think about what it means for my family, and I think about everything my father sacrificed over the years to keep me going.”

“I've always said that I respect the coach's decisions.”

“When I got into the youth academy, it was just incredible because my family were always huge Napoli supporters, but we could not afford to go to many matches when I was a kid. So when I was in the youth system, I would always beg to be one of the ball boys just so I could go to the San Paolo and stand on the sidelines.”

“Where I'm from, everybody knows everybody.”

“I played for Napoli for 10 years and for the Italian national team, winning the Euros.”

“They used to say I had some talent, but was too short. At one point, I wanted to quit football, as the scouts all told me the same thing and I thought it might be futile to continue. Then I had a trial with Napoli and it went well.”

“I won a lot with Napoli and I lost as well but I wanted a change and more importantly a challenge.”

“My rapport with Ancelotti is a bit odd, as at times we have had rows, but that's all down to our respective personalities. There is a difference of character between us. We happen to squabble, but Carlo remains a great coach and I hope to win with him.”

“I'm doing well in Toronto and I'm starting to study the language. It's right that way, to understand people, my teammates and the coach.”

“Napoli is my home.”