Napoli's Lorenzo

Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne mugged in Naples, then told 'score a goal for us against Fiorentina'

Italian striker and his wife forced to hand over cash and jewellery after being held up at gunpoint

Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne was a victim of streetcrim in Naples

An Italian football player became the latest high-profile victim of lawlessness in Naples when he and his wife were held up at gunpoint and robbed of jewellery, watches and cash.

Lorenzo Insigne, who plays for Napoli FC and the Italian national team, was driving with his wife, Genoveffa “Jenny” Darone, when they were held up in the Vomero district of the city.

A pair of robbers on a motorcycle pulled up next to their Mercedes at a set of traffic lights and threatened them with a pistol.

Lorenzo Insigne is one of Napoli's top scorers this season

The raiders snatched a Rolex watch, a diamond bracelet and 800 euros in cash.

They knew exactly who their victim was - before fleeing, one of them reportedly told the star player: “Score a goal for us on Monday against Fiorentina.”

Napoli play Fiorentina in a Serie A match on Monday night.

Insigne in action for Italy  Photo: EPA

The attack happened shortly before midnight on Saturday when Mr Insigne and his wife were out on the town with a pair of friends.

“Lorenzo is in shock but at least they didn’t have their children with them,” said Antonio Ottaiano, his agent. “It was a bad experience but with football and the help of his friends, he’ll get over it.”

Gianni Lettieri, a businessman and a candidate for mayor of Naples in elections in the spring, wrote on Facebook: “Naples is out of control. The city is in the hands of organised crime.”

Mr Insigne is the latest of several football players to have been robbed or threatened while playing for Napoli FC.

In 2013 Valon Behrami, a Swiss midfielder who now plays for Watford, was held up and had a Hublot watch worth £5,000 stolen.

Marek Hamsik  Photo: FABIO MUZZI/AFP

In the same year, Marek Hamsik, a Slovakian player and the team’s captain, was attacked while driving his BMW near the city’s stadium, with robbers stealing his Rolex.

The wives and girlfriends of players have also been specifically targeted in Naples by local criminals, with several going through traumatic muggings or robberies.