From Naples to Paris: Entre Deux Géants

3) Fabian Ruiz

Career at Napoli

• On 5 July 2018 Napoli reportedly paid a sum of €30 million to sign the then Real Betis player. He made his debut on 16 September in a Champions League group game away to Red Star Belgrade. In his whole stint at Napoli he appeared for the club for 166 times where he scored 22 goals and got 15 assists.

• Though the numbers don't convey the full story, his career at Napoli wasn't solely about goals and assists. It was the way he so exceptionally dictated the tempo of the game, despite not being the quickest or the strongest player on the pitch. His intelligence made him one of the rarest types of footballers in Europe today.

Career at PSG

• On 30 August 2022 Fabian signed for PSG on a 5 year contract, although His arrival added depth and creativity to PSG's midfield. The transition wasn't as easy for the Spanish midfielder considering how star studded that PSG squad was with the likes Neymar, Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Sergio Ramos and Marco Verratti.

• Since joining he has had around 97 appearances for the club with 7 goals and 13 assists. for the Majority of his PSG career he's been overshadowed by his fellow midfielder Vitinha who joined the club in the same transfer window as Fabian did.

• Though he's been rather average for PSG, it's up to him to step up and demonstrate the quality that made him one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe, proving his worth in a team filled with very young, top-tier talent and lead them to the glory.

Legacy

Fabian Ruiz's legacy, while still being written, is that of a highly gifted and intelligent midfielder who has the potential to reach the very top of European football. He is a two-time Ligue 1 champion, a French Cup winner, and an Italian Cup winner. These accolades highlight his contribution for both PSG and Napoli's domestic success.