They say don’t judge a book by its cover. And with Marek Hamsik in particular, appearances can be deceiving.
To look at, the Slovakia international is every inch your modern-day footballer. It’s the non-conformity of his haircut, the Mohawk you associate with the punk movement, studded leather and tartan trousers. Except there’s nothing loud or aggressive about Hamsik. He has a range of glasses so eclectic it wouldn’t be at all surprising if, when his playing days are over, he opens an opticians. You never see Hamsik in the same pair twice. Then there are the sleeves of tattoos. An addiction to ink Hamsik had to sate again this autumn with more needlework, including the coordinates of his hometown, Banska Bystrica, an eagle and a snowflake.
List all of these things together and Hamsik comes across as quite the extrovert. A bit in your face. Brash. Maybe trying too hard. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Behind the specs and spikes is an understated, softly spoken character. His tone in post-match interviews is always measured and there is a wisdom about Hamsik beyond his years. The values this 30-year-old holds dear are old-school. Reviewing his career, it’s evident romance isn’t dead in the Hamsik household.
This season is his 11th in Napoli colours. Signed from Brescia following the Partenopei's promotion back to the top flight in 2007, Hamsik has been ever-present, the totem of Aurelio de Laurentiis’ time at the club. You may recall he was the star in those early years back in the big time. Europe’s elite used to regularly come and watch him, captivated by an idea of what he might become. It was en vogue to talk about the player Napoli fans christened Marekiaro as a new Frank Lampard and why not? He often finished the season as Napoli’s top scorer. You could pretty much guarantee Hamsik entering double figures.
Over the years, other signings came to hog the limelight and steal the headlines at the San Paolo. It never put Hamsik’s nose out of joint. He was only too happy to share them if it meant Napoli were successful. Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani, Gonzalo Higuain; at some stage each of them became the face of Napoli without ever being the man. Because that’s Hamsik. Sure their stars may have burned brighter, eclipsing him briefly, but Hamsik is like the sun. When Napoli fans get up in the morning, they know he’ll be there. They don’t consider Hamsik Slovakian. They see him as one of their own like Lorenzo Insigne. Where Lavezzi, Cavani and Higuain gave into temptation, Hamsik always resisted.
Had he so desired, he could have gone to Juventus, Milan or one of England’s top clubs, earned more money and given himself a better shot at winning silverware. Doing so would have ensured Hamsik a higher status and greater acclaim. Instead he has dedicated himself to Napoli. Unlike the team’s other stars, you won’t find a buy-out clause in his contract. Hamsik is an exception in this regard. Always has been. Because he wanted it that way. “This shirt has become my second skin,” Hamsik told La Repubblica.
Winning a title here is worth 10 of those won by the big three. He has lifted the Coppa Italia and Super Cup as captain, ending a long trophy drought. But the trophy Hamsik really covets is another. “My mission will only be complete with the Scudetto.” A mission Lavezzi, Cavani and Higuain thought impossible.
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Hamsik has never lost faith, though, and this time around it looks like his unwavering commitment might be rewarded. Despite wobbling over the last month, this still feels like it could be Napoli’s year. From a personal point of view, though, it has been a tough one for Hamsik. He has not played to his usual standards. Last year, for instance, Hamsik scored 15 goals. Going into this weekend, he had just the one. Being a goal short of Diego Maradona’s all-time goalscoring record seemed to weigh on his mind. The ball suddenly appeared heavier. The frame of the goal looked smaller.
On Sunday, though, Hamsik finally climbed level with Diego on 115 goals, a stunning achievement for a midfielder. The relief was palpable even if Hamsik always maintained the press’ fixation with it was always greater than his own. “I’m not at all bothered by it,” he said. “There was a time when I used to score more and my team didn’t win. Now the opposite is happening and I’m the happiest player in the world.” Only it’s not the complete opposite.
Saturday’s win against Torino sent Napoli back to the top of the table. Three-nil up after half an hour, the belief that they’re back to something approximating their old selves again only deepened when Insigne made his return from injury in the second half. Faouzi Ghoulam remains a big miss but reports of their demise seem exaggerated, particularly when you look at their fixture list between now and the winter break and consider Juventus have to play Roma on Saturday. Napoli have a genuine chance to be winter champions for a second time in three years. The question is: can they make it stick this time?
Hamsik has finished a runner-up twice and come third on three occasions. The pride at equalling Maradona’s goalscoring record is immense. Where he really wants to match him, though, is by leading this team to the Scudetto. And unless you have a stake in one of the other teams fighting for the title, it’s hard not to root for him.
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