Italian coach Antonio Conte, manager of Napoli, expressed his immense joy after his team's victory in the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, affirming that this achievement would ignite celebrations throughout the city of Naples. Conte dedicated the title to the passionate fans, noting that the team is fully aware of the boundless passion that the Partenopei supporters hold for their club.
A well-deserved crowning achievement on the land of the Kingdom
Conte's comments came during the press conference following the thrilling final match, hosted by Saudi Arabia for the sixth time in the tournament's history, where Napoli secured the title against their tenacious rivals, Bologna. Describing the atmosphere, Conte said: "Our experience in Saudi Arabia was fantastic. The players and I thoroughly enjoyed being here. We worked incredibly hard, and our time in Riyadh was crucial in strengthening the bonds and harmony within the dressing room.".
Saudi Arabia is a global destination for sports
The Kingdom’s hosting of this major event confirms its growing status as a global sports destination, as Saudi Arabia has consistently hosted major European and international championships in recent years, including the Spanish and Italian Super Cups, reflecting the success of the Kingdom’s vision in developing the sports sector and attracting global attention.
In this context, Conte commented on the tremendous boom that Saudi football is witnessing, saying: “I see that Saudi football is witnessing great improvement and development; it is growing at a steady and deliberate pace. Today, the world’s top stars want to come here, and it is not limited to players only, but extends to include prominent coaches as well.”.
The veteran coach added: "The arrival of top coaches confirms that development encompasses all technical and tactical aspects. It is crucial to attract elite players, as they can add tremendous value to training and contribute to the development of local talent. This leads me to believe that football here will become much better in the near future.".
Echoes of victory and defeat
For his part, Brazilian defender Juan Jesus spoke about the importance of this title, explaining that the opportunity to play in the Super Cup final doesn't come around every day. Jesus said: "It was an exceptional experience; this is my second visit to Saudi Arabia. The first one wasn't successful and we lost, but today we won. I'm very happy with the excellent organization and the wonderful festive atmosphere.".
In contrast, Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano displayed sportsmanship, acknowledging the opponent's superiority, stating: "Honestly, Napoli were stronger than us and played better. It was a great experience that will push us to grow, and we apologize to our fans for not being able to bring the cup home.".
