Ospina retires at 38 after 103 games and the 2020 Coppa Italia with Napoli

Ospina has announced his retirement at the age of 38. He was a Napoli player from 2018 to 2022, making 103 appearances over four seasons.

The last trophy before the titles

Ospina's name stays tied to the 2020 Coppa Italia (Italy's cup competition). It was the sixth in the club's history, after those of 1961-62, 1975-76, 1986-87, 2011-12 and 2013-14. It was also the last trophy Napoli lifted before the 2022-23 season, the one that started a run of two league titles in three seasons.

Ospina left in 2022, before either of those titles. He belonged to a Napoli side that won a cup but not the league. The 103 appearances across four years show how consistent he was: season after season, he was there.

A contrast with the present

Remembering him now is striking. That Napoli had a trophy to show for its work. This one, after ten rounds, is eighth on 14 points: nine behind fourth place, the target Allegri has set, and fourteen behind Lazio, who come to the Maradona on Sunday. In the Champions League, Napoli have taken three points from four games.

From last season, the trophy cabinet holds the Supercoppa (Italy's super cup), won against Bologna in December. The balance of the current season, so far, is a different story, and both those who built this squad and those who coach it have to answer for it.

Ospina's retirement closes a career that left Napoli a cup and more than 100 games. A farewell is owed to anyone who won something here. The players who wear the shirt now still have to prove, starting on Sunday, that they can leave as much behind.