It is no secret that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was once very close to joining Napoli, and Italy icon Fabio Cannavaro has confirmed the facts once more. The reports of a potential transfer pertain to before the start of the 2019/20 season, when Ibra was still in Major League Soccer with LA Galaxy.
He was, in his own words, “inspired to repeat the achievements of Diego Maradona” in the south of Italy.
Cannavaro, speaking to DAZN (via Calciomercato), in an exclusive interview reminisced a personal memory between him and Ibrahimovic in Naples.
“The story is very true. We went for a ride through the streets of Naples on a Vespa and he appreciated it a lot. Ibra is in love with Naples and perhaps there it’s a bit of regret for not having played Maradona.”
Aurelio De Laurentiis wanted to make Ibrahimovic a Partenopei, but negotiations soon broke down due to managerial changes – with Gennaro Gattuso replacing Carlo Ancelotti.
“From what I know and say, De Laurentiis wanted to bring him to Naples, but Gattuso stopped the negotiation.”
Ibrahimovic ended up re-joining Milan in December 2019, and has since played a key role in propelling the Rossoneri to heights. The 41-year-old is currently suffering from back-to-back injuries, restricted to just 4 appearances this season.
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