West Ham and Napoli pay tribute to their captains

One man played spent 22 years with the same club, the other 16. They are playing in different clubs, in different leagues and in a different countries, but they are rare animals: both spent their careers with only one club, and both have said fairwell to their fans in today's matches. Mark Noble and Lorenzo Insigne have both ended their careers with West Ham and Napoli, with the difference being that the Englishman (35) is retiring from the game altogether, while the Italian (30) is continuing his career in Canada.

Mark Noble spent his entire career in West Ham. Even in the youth ranks, he was with the Hammers, apart from his first 2 years in football, which he started in Arsenal as a 11 year old boy. Over the course of his career, Noble accumulated 548 appearances in all competitions during a 22 years span. Noble's arrival onto the pitch for the game against City was greeted with a rapturous response from the crowd inside the stadium. He came in in the 77th minute in a game which ended 2-2.

After the game, with Noble (again) appearing tearful, and even City boss Pep Guardiola came on to the pitch to congratulate him.

'I hope that in the last 18 years I have done you proud. I've got a lot of family here today... and when I say a lot of family I mean 60,000“ said Noble in a speech to supporters.

More than 2000 kilometers away, in Naples, Italy another captain was saying his goodbyes to the Napoli faithful. Lorenzo Insigne was captaining his side against Genova and was recognized by the fans when he was subbed in the 88th minute, after scoring the goal from the penalty spot for a 3-0 win which also officially sent Genova to Serie B.

His teammates fanned out in a guard of honour as he walked out onto the pitch with his two sons and was presented with commemorative gifts, a framed jersey from Dries Mertens, a painting from Kalidou Koulibaly, a trophy from President Aurelio De Laurentiis.

“All I can say is thank you. Thank you to a city that gave me everything. I grew up here with you. We celebrated, suffered and at times argued, but always together, like an enormous family. Leaving Napoli means leaving home, knowing I will miss this and you forever“ said Insigne, as tearfull as Noble in London.

The Italian international couldn't agree on the new contract with the club, and decided to leave for MLS side FC Toronto for a hefthy contract, but refused to rule out the potential return to his native city.