Mertens breaks Maradona's goal record in Napoli

By Emre Asikci

ANKARA (AA) - Napoli forward Dries Mertens caught Diego Maradona's tally of 115 goals, scoring two goals against Salzburg in an away match in the UEFA Champions League.

In Wednesday's match between Napoli and Austrian club Salzburg at Stadion Salzburg, the Italian team won 3-2.

Argentine legend Maradona scored 115 goals in 188 appearances from 1984 to 1991.

Belgian international player Mertens has scored 116 goals, so far. He has not yet broken the record of Napoli's former captain Marek Hamsik who has 121 goals under his belt.

"I’m delighted with these two goals because it earns me a place in Napoli’s record books, something I’m very proud of," Mertens said in a statement.

The 32-year-old forward joined the Serie A club from the Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in July 2013. He played for Azzurri (The Blues) for six years.

Mertens added that he has broken Maradona's record and he hopes to soon catch Hamsik who is five goals away.

Martens has also played for Belgian team Gent and Dutch club FC Utrecht.