How come for you and Benítez to part ways?
“We won a lot in both Milan and Naples, I took my choice but I never had a fight with the coach. We always talked as true gentlemans, then came the call from Galatasaray and I was happy to make a change.“

Mazzarri and Benítez, two managers totally different…
“Every manager has his own characteristics: Mazzarri works in a certain way, Benítez in a different. Both have won something, Rafa has won many trophies and at the end they are two great coaches but different.“

The players brought by Mazzarri left the club in these two years, from Pandev to Cannavaro: how did you handle the departure of Paolo?
“That’s football, there are changes. Every manager has players that he likes and that doesn’t like. Paolo was fundamental for the squad. I remember that upon my arrival he lend me a hand also with my family and helped me to blend in. A wonderful person, also a great player. Now there are other players, a strong team that can bring much satisfaction.“

How come that when at Inter, Benítez struggled despite the wins?
“Arriving after Mourinho and the Treble wasn’t easy for anyone, Rafa won two trophies with us from three possible and then he left. Maybe he had some problems with the older players, I had a good relationship with him and I was at his disposal with no problems.“

Five Italian Cup won in your career, yet in Naples it is different…
“It’s wonderful to be playing in Napoli and I say it as I have played for Lazio and Inter, two great clubs. What the people of Naples give you helps you to feel as a real footballer. Then the victories in the Italian Cup were celebrated as if we had won the Champions League. I would love to have won the Scudetto, we failed and I’m sorry for that. But at Napoli I lived many nice moments, the three years were great for me and for my family.“

Pepe Reina quoted “Benvenuti al Sud“ in order to remember Naples, but you…
“I have many friends in Naples, I feel sorry that I’m gone but I decided to change. I hope that one day I will return and see them all, Naples is a beautiful city and it would be great to go back and visit the friends for a dinner.“

Playing for Napoli you scored many goals against Juventus, once even the seismographs registered an earthquake…
“Scoring against Juventus is very important knowing that those games are also very important for the fans. It’s something wonderful, I will always remember the brace at San Paolo and the goal in the Super Cup. Those are goals that can’t be forgotten…“

I tell you a name, you add something: Lotito…
“Lazio is in the past, for me it was an important team that helped me reach higher levels. I must thank Delio Rossi for the confidence and the board that believed in me, then at the end something went wrong and we went separate ways.“

Josè Mourinho…
“A great coach, he lead me to win everything and for all players it’s a dream to win what I have won with him. History will remember him.“

Walter Mazzarri…
“Another one that gave me a lot. Upon my arrival at Napoli I wasn’t in good physical shape and he is that type that “breaks you so much“ and “kills“ you of work in front of everyone. He told me that if I failed to get in form I would have to leave (laughs, Ed.), I will always remember that about him.“

Did you imagine his dismissal?
“No, I didn’t. I know the way he works, but Inter is a difficult team and the fans are used to win always. It wasn’t easy for him, many things have changes starting from the board and I feel for him. I knew that this was his first dismissal, I’m expecting him to get back in coaching as soon as possible.“

Benítez is going down, what impression do you have that can happen from the words of your Naples’ friends?
“I don’t follow much the Italian football, I hear something from my friends but I don’t know. I hope he will stay and continue the project that De Laurentiis speaks of and that as soon as possible he will bring the Scudetto to Naples because the people deserve it.“

Meanwhile, in Serie A you have scored 99 goals. When will you get back for the 100th? There are speculations of Fiorentina and Torino…
“Now I think of Galatasaray, I still have a year of my contract. I would like to return to Italy, I hope I will do it one day and maybe score the 100th (laughs, Ed.). Fiorentina and Torino? They are good clubs, but honestly I don’t know anything about that. I haven’t spoken to anyone, I’m concentrated on my work here and I feel happy with my family.“