Dries Mertens has transformed himself from a back-up winger to one of Europe's hottest attackers in the last two seasons for Napoli. Napoli have scored 56 goals in that time, coming agonizingly close to winning their first Scudetto in over three decades in 2017-18. Mertens has been at the heart of most of those strikes, scoring 30 times in two seasons.
The Belgian international only turned 29 earlier this year but he is already one of the best strikers in Europe. He has scored over 100 goals in all competitions for four different clubs, demonstrating his ability and importance to teams looking to win titles.
His goal tally includes two hat tricks and five games with more than two goals. He is also the current European record holder for most goals in a single season - 28 - since the UEFA club competition was established in 1992-93. He broke the previous record held by Marco Boetti who had scored 27 back in 1995-96. Before Mertens' strike-rate improved further this past season, there were fears that he might never be able to match or even come close to Boettic's record due to injuries that prevented him from playing much football between 2013 and 2016. However, under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, Mertens finally got his chance and he did not let them down, helping Napoli to their second Scudetto in three years.
Dries Mertens is Napoli's all-time leading scorer.
Dries Mertens (born May 6, 1987), nicknamed Ciro, is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a striker or winger for the Italian club Napoli and the Belgium national team.
| National team | Belgium |
|---|---|
| Year | 2020 |
| Apps | 4 |
| Goals | 3 |
During a season in which he became a fan favorite among De Blauwen supporters, he scored two goals in 35 appearances. Mertens' performance inspired AGOVV, led by new manager John van den Brom, to use the Belgian's option to sign him permanently the following season.
He was selected Belgian Footballer of the Year in 2016. Mertens began his career as a child in the now-defunct Stade Leuven in Leuven, Belgium. It was here that Anderlecht scouts first saw Mertens, which led to him being given a place in the club's junior program in 1998.
Mertens finished the season with 21 goals in 33 games, the fourth most in the Eredivisie. He also scored three goals in four KNVB Cup matches, including a header in the final against Heracles at De Kuip in Rotterdam. Mertens played for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands from 2011 to 2013.
During a season in which he became a fan favorite among De Blauwen supporters, he scored two goals in 35 appearances. Mertens' performance inspired AGOVV, led by new manager John van den Brom, to use the Belgian's option to sign him permanently the following season.
Mertens received his second winner's medal on December 22, 2014, following Napoli's Supercoppa penalty shootout victory over Juventus.
He first won a medal in his debut season, when Napoli were crowned champions. He was also part of the team that finished as runners-up the next year. In 2017, Mertens helped the club regain its title.
His career total includes two Italian Cup medals (2013, 2017) and one Coppa Italia medal (2011).
Mertens has been nominated for the UEFA Europa League Award alongside Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti and Zlatan Ibrahimović. The award ceremony takes place at the UEFA House in London on 24 November.
Del Piero is the most decorated player in the history of the UEFA Europa League with 17 goals from 23 appearances. Totti is second with 16 goals and Mertens is third with 15 goals. Ibrahimović has scored 14 times in 13 matches during Europe's premier club tournament's current era (1995-present).
All three players have won the UEFA Europa League twice: Del Piero with Torino and Roma, Totti with Rome and Mertens with Napoli.
Mertens finished the season with 21 goals in 33 games, the fourth most in the Eredivisie. He also scored three goals in four KNVB Cup matches, including a header in the final against Heracles at De Kuip in Rotterdam. Mertens played for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands from 2011 to 2013. During that time he made 171 appearances and scored 52 goals.
He joined Italian club Napoli in July 2013 and scored 24 goals in 57 appearances during his two-year stay there. In 2015, Mertens moved back to the Eredivisie where he signed with Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. He has so far scored 14 goals in 44 appearances for Wolfsburg.
Mertens has been selected for the Belgium national team on several occasions but has never played for them. He was called up for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Scotland on September 6, 2012 but withdrew due to an injury concern.
His contract with Wolfsburg expires in June 2019 and no agreement has been reached on a new deal yet. If nothing is done by April 30, 2019, Mertens will become a free agent.
He currently plays for Belgian club Lokeren on loan from Wolfsburg until the end of the 2018/19 season.
Mertens' father Martin played for Standard Liège and Club Brugge before becoming one of Belgium's most successful strikers.
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