Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne Says His Champions League Goal Against Real Madrid Was His 'Best Ever'

Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne has said his goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Champions League was the best of his career.

The pint-sized Italian forward enjoyed his finest campaign to date in 2016/17, scoring 18 goals and recording nine assists in Serie A.

The Neapolitan winger also enjoyed a fruitful European campaign and when the Italian side travelled to the Spanish capital, Insigne opened the scoring early on in spectacular style.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, per Football Italia, the 26-year-old said: “Was my goal at the Bernabeu the best of my career? I’d say so, yes.

“I was so happy that I didn’t even know how to celebrate. It was instinct, I saw that the goalkeeper was off his line and I hit a perfect shot.

“Unfortunately though it wasn’t enough for us to go through. I’m not saying we deserved to, but we made it hard for the best team in the world.”

NAPLES, ITALY - MAY 20: Lorenzo Insigne of SSC Napoli in action during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio San Paolo on May 20, 2017 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Francesco Pecoraro/GettyImages

Despite Insigne's heroics, Napoli simply could not contain Los Blancos' frightening attack as Zinedine Zidane's side came out 3-1 winners.

The eventual winners of the competition also won by the same scoreline in Naples, claiming a hugely impressive 6-2 aggregate victory.

Insigne has flourished under the guidance of Maurizio Sarri after failing to adjust to Rafa Benitez's style and the Italian international is thankful for the faith placed in him by his new mentor.

NAPLES, ITALY - JANUARY 07: Napoli'u0092s coach Maurizio Sarri and player Lorenzo Insigne during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and UC Sampdoria at Stadio San Paolo on January 7, 2017 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Francesco Pecoraro/GettyImages

“Rafa Benitez? In his system, the defensive side which I had previously neglected was fundamental, with Rafa I learned to play both phases with the same intensity.

“There’s also a lot of credit to [Maurizio] Sarri for my past two seasons, he put his faith in me and I’m trying to pay it back."