Napoli's Matteo Politano Shares His Journey and Love for the City in Drive&Talk Podcast Episode

In the absence of Serie A, Napoli wanted to 'entertain' its fans by launching the second episode of Drive&Talk, the club's podcast that features the blues engaged in a chat while heading to the Castel Volturno training center. The protagonist of this second podcast episode is Matteo Politano, who retraced the steps of his career, focusing on the Serie A title win and more. 'My typical morning is very calm, although I struggle a bit to get out of bed. I'm a sleepyhead,' reveals the winger. 'But an alarm clock is enough for me, and I help myself with coffee, which is a must.' Like captain Di Lorenzo, interviewed in the first episode of the podcast, he also tackled the theme of the sliding doors of his career: growing up in the youth ranks of Roma, making his first-team debut with the red and blacks - for a native of the capital like him - would have been the fulfillment of a dream. 'But I believe everything happens for a reason - Politano reflects - destiny leads you to make choices. In my destiny, there wasn't Roma, but coming to play here. And it was the best choice, since I've been here a lot of beautiful things have happened to me: I became a father, I won my first trophy - the Coppa Italia with Gennaro Gattuso as coach - and then, obviously, the Serie A title.' Indeed, the Serie A title. That dream turned into reality 'that many players may never have managed to win. Have I realized it? More than anything, I'm still struck by seeing the joy on the faces of people I meet on the street or even my friends, still receiving so many compliments. It remains one of the most beautiful sensations I have ever experienced. Too bad for the missed Supercoppa: I would have completed my personal 'treble'.' 'Being a footballer has always been my dream since I was a child,' continues the blue. 'I have dedicated my life to football and made many sacrifices, especially as a teenager. If I hadn't become a professional? I won't deny that I wouldn't have minded being a mechanic in my father's workshop, I sometimes went to help him on weekends when I didn't have matches. He still works there, with my brother Andrea, to whom I owe a lot because it's thanks to him that I started playing football. He is older than me and one day, after taking him to training, my mother asked the coach if I could also participate in the session.' Among the greatest joys that life has given him, since he wears the blue, there is also little Giselle. 'Becoming a father is the most beautiful feeling in the world. It entails many responsibilities, but it changes your life. When you come home and see your daughter smile, you melt. I try to show her my love even when we are far apart. What kind of father is Matteo Politano? I have a very light touch, she can do anything with me. Sometimes I try to get angry, but for me, it's really hard,' he reveals openly. Politano concludes with a declaration of love for Naples: 'The city is wonderful: the sea, climate, and landscapes score a hundred points. I find it a small city, being used to Rome, so I can easily get around. The most beautiful thing about being here is being able to take a boat trip or maybe go to the coast as soon as you have one or two days off, while when I was at other clubs I couldn't wait to get back home.'