Giovanni the 'Cholito' Simeone was again part of the deed that means winning the 'Scudetto' with the Naples, certified this Friday against Cagliari (2-0). Again, as 3 years ago, when Naples ended 33 years of drought, an Argentine was part of the historical triumph of an Italian city that seems destined to succeed from the hand with the country of Diego Armando Maradona.
It is the second 'Scudetto' that wins the 'cholito', so it matches the brand of the world legend, of a Maradona considered as a Neapolitano more in the city partial, as a kind of God that landed there to give a little light in one of the darkest moments of a city dominated by the mafia. The famous mural in the Quartieri Spagnoli pays tribute to a hero, to a figure that crosses any type of belief and that has been venerated since then without a paragon.
It is not, much less, comparable the impact of the 'cholito' with that of Maradona, but it is another sample of the incredible link between a city and a country twinned by football.
This season, Simeone has scored only 1 goal and given 1 assistance, and although its prominence has been less than Antonio Conte's orders regarding the importance he had with Luciano Spalletti, he has been key again from the bench taking advantage of every minute, fighting every opportunity and, above all, being a tireless professional, a worker in silence forever to add.
Conte, this facet, amazed him and did not want to lose it in the winter market.
“Simeone's improvement is in the sight of everyone. It was completely available. We also talk about what aspect could be improved in my opinion. He always wants to improve. Today I see him play more complete, safer, stronger. It gives me a credible alternative behind Romelu. For us it is important, having it in the team without a doubt gives us advantages,” said the coach.
“His father (Diego Pablo Simeone) was a great footballer, always made hard work, like me, his motto. He is a player, therefore, who was raised with certain values,” Conte said.
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From Maradona to 'Cholito', the last example of the fruitful relationship between the two countries, there is a long list of albicelest players who have also managed to enter the hall of fame of 'calcium'.
Diego Milito, Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso with Inter; Carlos Tévez with the 'Juve'; Hernán Crespo with the Parma; Juan Sebastián Verón with Inter or Parma; Batistuta with the 'Fiore', the Rome or Inter; Or Lautaro and Correa with Inter are the examples that the 'Cholito' has been able to follow since it arrived in Italy in 2017.
The most important of them is Maradona, there is no doubt about that. And Simeone, in his third campaign in Naples is something that is very clear. He has always had it, in fact.
“I know that this is the homeland of Maradona and that here they have played Argentine champions of great value, so I will do my best to live up to the history of this city,” said the day of his presentation, in 2022.
“My father was very happy when he knew that I was going to Naples. He sent me a message in which he told me that all Argentines dream of dressing the shirt of Maradona. He moved me,” he added.
Simeone wanted to come to Naples to raise the level. I felt that I could give much more than in Hellas Verona, which was to play in a team that would fight in more ambitious dimensions. Until now he has proven to be a guarantee player and, whatever happens, with two 'Scudetti', he will be part of Neapolitan eternity.
