Monza striker, Kevin-Prince Boateng has suggested that Barcelona talisman, Lionel Messi move to Napoli to pay tribute to former hero Diego Armando Maradona.
The Argentine legend died on November 25 and expected tributes started flowing in. After being given a national burial at Buenos Aires beside his parents’ graves last month, Napoli where Maradona recorded unprecedented club success also honored the football icon by renaming their home ground after him.
Maradona won Napoli’s only Serie A titles. He was therefore widely considered to be one of the all-time greatest football players who ever lived and reached his peak in Serie A.
Why Boateng wants Messi to honour Maradona at Napoli
Meanwhile, Messi still has contract issues to sort out with Barcelona as his current deal runs out in June next year.
The talisman had wanted to leave the Catalan club last summer – a move which was blocked by the club and La Liga. He will be free to negotiate with any club from January 1, 2021.
Since Maradona recorded success with Napoli from 1984 to 1991, Boateng, a Ghanian international, who played alongside the six times world footballer of the year during his six months stint at Barca urged the current Argentina hero to follow in Maradona’s footsteps.
Messi had dedicated a goal against Osasuna to the national hero with an old Jersey of Newel Old Boys.
“I often hear of the comparison between Messi and Maradona and therefore I’ll make a proposal to Leo.
“He should go to Napoli after his contract with Barcelona expires. It would be great if he himself called De Laurentiis and said: ‘I’m coming’.
“Even if they have retired the No 10 shirt, ‘I would like to honour Maradona’s No 10 and come and play for a year or two at Napoli’, without thinking about money, just the heart.
“Maybe then he manages to win a championship and then it would be the apotheosis, a movie story.
“If I were him, I would think about it. By now, he has won everything at club level, closing in a legendary way would be incredible.”Boateng told ESPN.
Since Messi is yet to reveal his next destination or probably sign an extension at Barca, such proposition from a former teammate could be considered.
The Argentine captain won’t want to play for money at this point but would want to be with a club hungry for success.
Messi has been linked with Manchester City, PSG, and Inter Milan. The three clubs have the financial capability to have the Argentine on their wage bill as well in case financial rewards will tempt the dazzling footballer.
