During the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday night, Victor Osimhen finished in 8th position, and an ex-Napoli player reacted to the celebration.
Osimhen made history as the first Napoli player to make the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or rankings on the night, to the delight of many Nigerians.
That was the best result ever for a Napoli player, given that the previous record belonged to Ruud Krol, who ended 15th in 1980.
Speaking on a Radio Program, Krol, the former Napoli player and record holder for the Golden Ball position before Osimhen, spoke:
“With Osimhen arriving in eighth place, I lost the record for placing in the Golden Ball with the Napoli shirt, but he deserves it. Osimhen had a great championship with Spalletti last year, it was extraordinary,” he said.
Krol also reacted to Napoli's Serie A clash with Milan over the weekend
The retired Netherlands international aired his thoughts on the recent thrilling 2-2 draw with Milan at Stadio Armando Maradona.
“I saw Napoli vs Milan, I watched all Napoli's matches. I saw a good Napoli in the second half, very bad in the first. But Garcia's substitutions meant that Napoli came out on top.”
The former Netherlands player spoke about the team's situation during the first year of Luciano Spalletti. He had this to say:
“Even with Spalletti in the first year everything didn't work, then after some time he found the right way,” he continued.
“Napoli played very well last year, it's just a shame about that period of decline against Milan because they were stronger than the Rossoneri and they could move forward in the Champions League.”
‘Every team faces a period in which they don't perform well'
The 74-year-old also pointed out the obvious changes in Napoli's performances this season, but maintains that Rudi Garcia's side can still challenge for the Serie A title.
“It's normal because every team faces a period in which they don't perform well. This year Napoli can still fight for the championship, they have quality and if Osimhen comes back we can do well,” he added.
Regarded as one of the best defenders of all time, Krol played for Napoli between 1980-1984. During his time, the defender made 107 appearances for the Partenopei, scoring one goal.
He ended his radio session by saying how Napoli during his days came close to winning the Scudetto:
“In 1980/81 we came close to winning the Scudetto with Napoli, but we were unlucky, it's a shame,” he concluded.
What's next for Osimhen and Napoli?
The Nigerian forward is nursing a hamstring injury which will keep him out of action for a couple of months.
Nonetheless, in his absence, Napoli have strung two wins and a draw in their last three games.
The league champions will next travel to face Salernitana in the Serie A this weekend, before hosting Union Berlin in the Champions League next midweek.
This article was most recently revised and updated 11 months ago
