Who Is Napoli No. 10: A Closer Look at the Club's Iconic Jersey Number

If you're a fan of Italian football, you'll know that Napoli is one of the country's most successful and beloved clubs. And if you're a Napoli fan, you'll know that the number 10 jersey is one of the most iconic symbols of the team.

So, who is Napoli's No. 10? What makes this number so special to the fans and the club? In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history of the Napoli No. 10 and some of the players who have worn it with pride.

The Importance of the Number 10 Jersey in Football

Before we delve into Napoli's No. 10, let's first explore the significance of the number 10 jersey in football. Across many cultures, the number 10 is associated with creativity, skill, and leadership. This is why the number 10 jersey is often given to a team's most talented and influential player.

In many cases, the No. 10 player is the team's playmaker, responsible for creating chances and orchestrating the team's attack. This position requires a high level of skill, vision, and football intelligence.

Napoli's No. 10: A Brief History

Napoli is a club with a rich history, and the No. 10 jersey has played an important role in that history. The first player to wear the No. 10 for Napoli was Attila Sallustro in the 1930s. Sallustro was a skilled attacking midfielder who helped Napoli win their first Serie A title in 1927-28.

Since then, a number of great players have worn the Napoli No. 10, including Diego Maradona, who is perhaps the most iconic No. 10 in the club's history.

Diego Maradona: The King of Napoli's No. 10

Diego Maradona is arguably the greatest player in Napoli's history, and his time at the club was defined by his performances in the No. 10 jersey. Maradona joined Napoli in 1984 and quickly established himself as the team's talisman.

In his first season at the club, Maradona helped Napoli win their first major trophy in almost 25 years, the Coppa Italia. But it was in the following season that Maradona truly cemented his place in Napoli folklore.

In the 1986-87 season, Maradona led Napoli to their first ever Serie A title, scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists in the process. He was the driving force behind the team's success, and his performances in the No. 10 jersey were nothing short of sensational.

Maradona continued to wear the No. 10 for Napoli until he left the club in 1991. In total, he made 188 appearances for the club, scoring 81 goals and providing 51 assists. He remains a legend among Napoli fans, and his No. 10 jersey is forever associated with him.

Other Napoli No. 10s

While Maradona is undoubtedly the most famous Napoli No. 10, he is not the only great player to wear the jersey. Other notable Napoli No. 10s include:

Fausto Salsano

Fausto Salsano was a versatile midfielder who played for Napoli in the 1980s and early 1990s. He wore the No. 10 jersey for much of his time at the club and was an important player in Napoli's midfield.

Salsano won two Serie A titles with Napoli, in 1987 and 1990, and was known for his work rate and technical ability.

Gianfranco Zola

Gianfranco Zola is one of the most talented players to come out of Italy in the last few decades, and he spent two seasons at Napoli in the mid-1990s. Zola wore the No. 10 jersey during his time at the club and was a key player in their attack.

Zola's time at Napoli was somewhat overshadowed by the club's financial problems, but he still managed to score some memorable goals for the team.

Marek Hamsik

Marek Hamsik is a Slovakian midfielder who spent 12 seasons at Napoli between 2007 and 2019. Hamsik wore the No. 17 jersey for much of his time at the club, but he also wore the No. 10 for a number of seasons.

Hamsik was a creative and energetic midfielder who was known for his ability to score goals from midfield. He won two Coppa Italia titles with Napoli and was a key player in the team that finished as runners-up in the 2012-13 season.

Napoli's No. 10 Today

So, who wears the Napoli No. 10 jersey today? Currently, the jersey is worn by Lorenzo Insigne, a talented attacking midfielder who has been with Napoli since he was a youth player.

Insigne has been a key player for Napoli in recent years, helping the team to win the Coppa Italia in 2020. He is known for his dribbling ability, his eye for a pass, and his deadly free-kicks.

While Insigne has big shoes to fill in wearing the Napoli No. 10, he has already shown that he has the talent and the mentality to do the jersey justice.

Final Thoughts

The Napoli No. 10 is a symbol of the club's history and its commitment to creativity, skill, and leadership. From Attila Sallustro to Diego Maradona to Lorenzo Insigne, the players who have worn the jersey have all been talented and influential in their own way.

While Maradona will always be associated with the Napoli No. 10, it is important to remember the other great players who have worn the jersey and contributed to the club's success. And with Insigne currently wearing the jersey, there is no doubt that the Napoli No. 10 will continue to be an important part of the club's history for years to come.