Fabian Ruiz: ‘I miss Napoli and always follow them, Champions League Final tough’

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz ‘still misses’ Napoli and follows all their games as he prepares for the Champions League Final against Arsenal.

The 30-year-old really made his mark at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona when completing the transfer from Real Betis in the summer of 2018.

At the time, the cost of €30m was considered huge for this club, but he delivered over four years before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain in 2022.

“I always follow Napoli games, I go back there whenever I have a few days off, as I really miss it,” Fabian Ruiz told Sky Sport Italia.

“They won two Serie A titles since I left, I’ve still got many friends there that I talk to, and I wish them all the best. They deserve it.”

The Spain international made 166 competitive appearances in the Napoli shirt, contributing 22 goals and 15 assists.

He now has exactly 166 games under his belt for PSG too, but only 16 goals and an additional 26 assists.

Paris Saint-Germain won their first Champions League title last season, beating Inter in the Final, and now hope to retain the tournament when taking on Riccardo Calafiori’s Arsenal.

“We are immensely happy to be in the Champions League Final again, we know the difficulties involved in winning the trophy, and are up against a strong side that won the Premier League last night.

“It’ll be tough, but we have so much enthusiasm and feel ready for this occasion.”

PSG knocked Arsenal out in the semi-final last season with Fabian Ruiz on target.

“That was my first Champions League goal, it was a very difficult semi-final. We won both legs, but it is very different in a Final,” he noted.

“Luis Enrique tells us the details in every game where we can help the team to win. Bayern Munich were tough, I had to help Nuno Mendes out a bit in defence.”