Marek Hamsik breaks Diego Maradona’s Napoli goal record

  • Marek Hamsik scored his 116th goal for Napoli to become their all-time scorer
  • The midfielder surpassed Diego Maradona’s record at the club with his winner
  • Hamsik scored a first-half winner to settle Napoil’s home clash with Sampdoria 
  • The Slovenian reached the total in 11 seasons and 478 appearances for Napoli 

Marek Hamsik has become Napoli’s all-time record scorer after netting his 116th goal for the Serie A club to surpass Diego Maradona’s tally.

Hamsik took the record outright by scoring after 39 minutes to settle Napoli’s league clash with Sampdoria at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday. 

The Slovenian midfielder had drawn level with Maradona’s total with his strike in the 3-1 away victory over Torino last weekend. 

Marek Hamsik scored the winning goal during the first half of Napoli’s 3-2 victory on Saturday

FACT BOX TITLE

1. Marek Hamsik – (2007-present) – 116 goals

2. Diego Maradona – (1984-91) 115 goals 

3. Attila Sallustro (1926–37) – 106 goals

4. Edinson Cavani (2010–13) – 104 goals

5. Antonio Vojak (1929-35) – 103 goals

Against Sampdoria, Allan dribbled past three players in the area before picking out Dries Mertens, who rolled the ball across for Hamsik to tap in from close range.

The goal put Napoli 3-2 ahead and Hamsik was immediately embraced by his team-mates as they commemorated the historic moment. 

Earlier, ex-Middlesbrough and Southampton man Gaston Ramirez had given Sampdoria a shock lead after two minutes before Allan equalised. 

Fabio Quagliarella then fired Sampdoria back in front from the penalty spot before Lorenzo Insigne’s strike drew Napoli level once again. 

And Hamsik settled the contest with his close-range finish six minutes before half-time to cap off an eventful first half in Naples.

It has taken Hamsik 11 seasons and 478 appearances to reach that tally. Maradona, who was a forward, set the 115-goal mark in 259 games in seven years with Napoli.

Diego Maradona scored 115 goals for Napoli during his seven-year spell with the Italians

Diego Maradona scored 115 goals for Napoli during his seven-year spell with the Italians

Maradona led Napoli to its only two Serie A titles, in 1987 and 1990, during his spell in Naples before leaving for Sevilla.

Hamsik had initially struggled in front of goal for Napoli this season with just one strike before last weekend’s win against Torino. 

But scoring twice in successive matches means he now writes his name in Napoli’s history books as the top all-time scorer for the Neopolitans.  

Attila Sallustro, who played for Napoli from 1926-37, is third behind Hamsik and Maradona with 106 goals while Edinson Cavani managed a remarkable 106 goals during his three-year spell at the Stadio San Paolo.

The result sees Napoli stay top of the Serie A table, four points ahead of reigning champions Juventus ahead of the Old Lady’s clash with Roma on Saturday evening. 

Maradona banners are displayed at the Stadio San Paolo before kick-off against Sampdoria

Maradona banners are displayed at the Stadio San Paolo before kick-off against Sampdoria



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