Lorenzo Insigne injury as bad as Napoli feared

Around these parts, we like to provide a dose of wit and laughter to go with your Napoli news. But there's no way to make this news feel any lighter: Napoli have confirmed that Lorenzo Insigne has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. While the club has no news on how long Insigne will be out, these sorts of injuries tend to keep a footballer out for a minimum of six months.

That, of course, is the best prognosis. The worst propels a player into Giuseppe Rossi territory, in which he'll miss six months, come back, re-injure the knee, miss another ten months, and then end up at Fiorentina, once again getting treatment in Colorado.

It's better to think about Alessandro Del Piero, who missed the majority of the 1989-1990 season with the same sort of injury. It took him awhile to rediscover his form, but he obviously went on to plenty of success.

We could elaborate what this would do to Napoli, who've just managed to work their way back to third place. But really, our hearts are hurting for Lorenzo right now. The son of Naples did so much to overcome the taunts and jeers of the San Paolo crowd, and over the past month has been one of the driving forces of this Napoli squad. He was about to find himself back in the Italy national team as well. For such a serious injury to come at such a time must have him devastated.

Heal well, Lorenzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Napoli need you.