From current captain Lorenzo Insigne, who has been crucial to recent victories like winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana, to Diego Maradona, who guided Napoli to their first-ever Serie A triumph in 1987, these players have demonstrated extraordinary skill and passion on the pitch. The following luminaries have all had a major impact on Napoli’s success throughout the years: Edinson Cavani, Bruno Giordan, Giuseppe Bruscolotti, Attila Sallustro, Dries Mertens, Marek Hamsik, and Antonio Juliano. Below is a list of the all-time top 10 Napoli players.
The Top 10 Napoli Players of All Time
Lorenzo Insigne
One of Napoli’s all-time greats, Lorenzo Insigne is a name that is connected with the team’s recent success. With roots in Naples, Insigne’s relationship with the team extends beyond the field. He is an exceptional player for Napoli because of his deadly left foot, accurate passing, and amazing dribbling abilities. He has gained the respect of both supporters and detractors due to his devotion to the team. After starting out in the junior system, Insigne advanced swiftly through the ranks to make his senior debut for Napoli in 2010.
His development as a player was rapid, and the team’s offensive force quickly depended on him. His adaptability to different attacking positions and his flair and inventiveness became a defining characteristic of Napoli’s style. Whether he was setting goals or dishing them out, Insigne’s talents frequently made the difference between winning and losing. But Insigne is a Napoli legend because he embodies the enthusiasm and passion of the city, not only because of his skill on the pitch. Every game he plays, you can tell how much he loves the club and wears his heart on his sleeve. Napoli’s achievements throughout his tenure have been greatly attributed to his leadership both on and off the field.
Bruno Giordano
Let’s pause to honor Bruno Giordano, who had a significant effect for Napoli in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a midfield player. Giordano began his professional career with Napoli in 1972 after being born in Naples. His skill, powerful tackling, and commanding play quickly won him over the hearts of the supporters. Giordano was a member of the Napoli squad that took home the Coppa Italia, their first significant prize, in 1976. He performed at the club with other legends like Ciro Ferrara and Diego Maradona. Even though Giordan only won the Coppa Italia with Napoli, supporters still have great memories of him for his enthusiasm and commitment to the team.
Giordano played for a number of other Italian teams before retiring in 1991 following his departure from Napoli in 1983. He worked with neighborhood youth teams as a way to give back to the community even after he retired. He is still active as a scout for Napoli nowadays. Bruno Giordan represented Naples more than simply as a footballer. Every time he on the field, his passion for the city and its residents was evident.
Edinson Cavani
After discussing Attila Sallustro’s career, let’s move on to Edinson Cavani, another outstanding Napoli player. It’s likely that you are aware of him as one of the most accomplished goal-scorers in Serie A history and with good reason. Between 2010 and 2013, Cavani was a player at Napoli, where he played 138 games and scored an amazing 104 goals. During his tenure there, he played a crucial role in the team’s success, leading them to their first Coppa Italia championship in more than 20 years.
His ability to score goals from almost any angle on the field combined with his unparalleled skill on the field made him a favorite among Napoli supporters. Even though he left the team over ten years ago, Cavani is still regarded by supporters as one of the best players to ever don the blue shirt.
Attila Sallustro
In the 1930s, Attila Sallustro was a midfield player for Napoli. He was renowned for his deft dribbling and excellent ball control.He was born in Argentina to Italian parents, and at a young age, he relocated to Italy. Sallustro joined Napoli for his professional debut in 1932 and soon won over the fans. He won one Coppa Italia trophy and two Serie A championships at Napoli. He also played for the 1934 World Cup-winning Italian national team.
Ciro Ferrara
The only way to discuss Napoli’s past is to bring up Ciro Ferrara. He was the club’s hard-tackling defender who provided stability at the back in the 1990s. Under his direction, Napoli won two Coppa Italia titles and their first Serie A championship in 1987. Napoli won two Coppa Italia titles and the Serie A championship in 1987, both under his leadership.1982 saw him enter Napoli’s youth program, while 1984 saw him make his first-team debut.
Ferrara made nearly 300 games throughout his eight seasons as a player with Napoli, which ran from 1985 to 1993. Ferrara won an Italian Supercup, a UEFA Cup, and two Serie A championships with Napoli. Later on, he played for both Juventus and the national team of Italy. Before retiring in 2005, Ferrara had more than 50 caps.
Giuseppe Bruscolotti
Bruscolotti, a former Napoli captain, enjoyed a successful tenure with the team in the 1970s and 1980s. He spent sixteen years as a player with Napoli and is regarded as one of the best defenders in Italian football history. On the field, Bruscolotti was renowned for his physicality, perseverance, and leadership. Under his direction, Napoli won two Coppa Italia titles and their first Serie A championship in 1987.
Since Bruscolotti and Ciro Ferrara formed a strong defensive tandem, his efforts were essential to Napoli’s success at this time. Bruscolotti continued to stay active in football after retiring, taking on the role of pundit and commentator.
Antonio Juliano
Antonio Juliano is unquestionably one of the greatest Napoli legends. Juliano was born and raised in Naples, so it came as no surprise when he joined his beloved team, Napoli, in 1962. His love for the game bloomed early. Juliano was beloved by both players and supporters during his tenure with the squad because of his dependability and commitment. He was a midfield maestro for Napoli, directing plays and controlling the game in a way that few others could equal. Juliano had exceptional game-reading skills and frequently appeared to be one step ahead of everyone else on the field.
He was able to make pinpoint passes that frequently resulted in goals thanks to his exceptional vision. His solid tenure with the Italian national team, which included World Cup participation in 1970, and his 383 Napoli appearances solidified his status as one of the country’s most revered players. However, what truly distinguished him as a legend was his ardent devotion to Napoli and his love for the team. The thing that stood out about Juliano’s career the most might have been his unrelenting dedication to Napoli and the game. He was not just a player; he was a football man through and through, and Napoli was an extension of himself.
It was more important to play honorably, to give it your all, and to constantly prioritize the needs of the team rather than merely winning. In addition to being a fantastic player, Antonio Juliano personified the qualities of a true Napoli legend.
Dries Mertens
With performances that astounded fans, Dries Mertens—a name synonymous with skill and tenacity—earned his spot among Napoli’s legends. Due to his quickness, accuracy, and adaptability, he became a fan as soon as he joined Napoli in 2013. His versatility allowed him to play as a winger, attacking midfielder, and other offensive roles, but as a striker, he really shone. Because of his quickness and scoring prowess, Mertens was an important member of the Napoli team and helped the team win a number of championships.
His offensive teammates often gave the impression that Napoli’s front line was unbeatable. He set a personal record with 34 goals and 34 assists in all competitions during the 2016–17 campaign. Mertens not only scored goals but beautiful ones as well, frequently from spots where others wouldn’t even try a chance. Mertens’ dedication to the squad and the Naples city is what separates him from many greats. His commitment to the game extended off the field as he interacted with supporters and grew to become a vital member of the community.
At the time of writing, he had scored over 130 goals for Napoli, solidifying his position in the annals of history. But the elegance, grace, and love he displayed every time he put on that Napoli shirt are what really tell his story—not just the stats.
Marek Hamsik
Marek Hamsik’s name is bound to come up in any discussion regarding Napoli’s best players if you’re a fan. With 121 goals in 520 appearances in all competitions, the Slovakian midfielder became Napoli’s all-time top scorer while he was a member of the team from 2007 to 2019. He was also a key member of the squad that twice placed second in Serie A.
The versatility of Hamsik’s playmaking helped Napoli immensely. He could play offensive or center midfield, depending on the situation, and his technical skill set allowed him and his teammates to create plenty of scoring opportunities. Apart from his remarkable goal-scoring accomplishments, Hamsik amassed 111 assists while at Napoli. He was originally named captain in September 2013 in recognition of his efforts to the squad, and he remained in that position until his departure from the club in January 2019.
Diego Maradona
Talking about Napoli legends would be incomplete without discussing Diego Maradona. It was he who, with his “golden touch,” put the city on the map. After arriving in Naples in 1984, the Argentinean football player immediately won over the fans’ hearts. In 1987, he guided the squad to its inaugural Serie A championship, a feat he repeated in 1990. In addition to being a fantastic player, Maradona was a leader who motivated his group to give their all. With his exceptional dribbling abilities, he scored some of the most memorable goals in Napoli’s history.
