Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a goal and added an assist in his SSC Napoli debut on Monday. Despite a dominant start, Napoli found themselves trailing 1-0 just before the half-hour mark.
It didn’t take long for Napoli to respond though. Less then 10 minutes after Kevin Lasagna’s opening goal, the Georgian wonder-kid attacked Hirving Lozano’s cross and directed his header into the bottom corner.
In celebration, Kvaratskhelia made a sleeping pose, resting his head on his clasped hands, in front of the home supporters. An avid basketball fan, Kvaratskhelia’s celebration was a nod to Golden State Warriors Point Guard Stephan Curry.
Curry, who’s team ironically wears yellow and blue, popularized the “night night” pose during the Warriors’ 2022 Championship run. The celebration first appeared in Golden State’s Game 2 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. With 1:04 left to play, Curry launched a three-pointer to put the Warriors up by 10. While the ball was still in the air, Curry mouthed, “night, night” before using his hands as a pillow.
After the match, Curry gave a politically correct explanation for the gesture that, for all intents and purposes, was a message to the opposition to “go to sleep”.
“Just having fun. You talk about having kids, you know how bedtime routines are important. It’s the final signal for a job well done that day.”
Perhaps Kvaratskhelia knew what was coming. His goal was the first of five for Napoli on the night. The winger added an assist on Napoli’s third, completing a rapid 50-yard progression with a one-touch through-ball to Piotr Zielinski.
Kvaratskhelia was indeed having fun, catching the attention of Serie A fans worldwide and confirming what Napoli fans already suspected – he is a star in the making. Kvaratskhelia played 68 minutes in the 5-2 victory – a job well done that day.
