In Naples, the rich and celebrities typically live in the "upper" part of the city. Those with less, reside in the "lower" part. 🗺️
Unlike other footballers, Dries Mertens chose the lower part, specifically in Posillipo. The Belgian took on a socially impactful role in the area where he lived. A neighbor's anecdote for Italian TV exemplifies what we want to share: "When we saw Dries returning late every night, we thought he had surrendered to the good life. Then we found out he was buying pizzas and driving around giving them to the homeless."
Speaking with the UEFA official website, Mertens explained why he chose to live where he does:
🗣️ "In Naples, you breathe football. Not only the young people, it’s also a thing for the grandmothers and kids. It’s crazy! It’s something special: waking up, having coffee in the morning, and talking about football. I started to live like them, I love the food, the sea, all the islands here." 🇮🇹⚽
He was there for 9 seasons. Another example of loyalty to the team, the city, and the fans. And it's no coincidence that this happened in Serie A.
Impressive. 👏