Diego Maradona has congratulated Dries Mertens for becoming Napoli’s all-time top goalscorer. “Like this, we get better every day.”
Maradona had been Napoli’s top scorer for almost three decades on 115 goals, until Marek Hamsik surpassed him in December 2017.
Hamsik left Napoli on 121 goals, which Mertens had been stuck on since February before his equaliser against Inter, which also sent the Partenopei into the Coppa Italia Final.
“Hi Dries, my friend! I’m proud of you for breaking my record because, like this, Napoli get better every day,” the Argentine icon said in an Instagram video.
“I’d like us to have a team who surpass the ones I played in so we can win another Scudetto for the people of Naples.”
‘El Pibe de Oro’ added in the caption: “A few months ago, Mertens said he cared so much about giving me his shirt as a tribute to his lifelong hero.
“I, having thanked him immediately afterwards, recorded this message, knowing he would also pass Marek Hamsik, becoming the best scorer in Napoli’s history.”
Mertens returned the favour, tweeting: “Thanks for your kind words!”
