Serie A 2018/19: 3 reasons why Ronaldo should fear Quagliarella in the race to finish top-scorer

#2 Mental fortitude

Quagliarella's spell with Napoli was hampered by a stalker incident

Not many people know about Quagliarella’s brush with a stalker while he was playing for Napoli. He and his family were threatened for about 5 years which eventually led to his departure from the club. His sudden exit from Napoli turned the fans against him and he was branded a traitor.

In 2017, he finally opened up about the incident. On hearing about it, people started to come around. He was appreciated for going through such a tough period with absolute dignity. The Neapolitans who initially turned against him started accepting him with open arms. “You’ve lived through hell with enormous dignity. We will embrace you again, Fabio, son of this city,” read a Napoli banner in 2017.

If anything, his ordeal has only made him mentally tougher. In his subsequent interviews, Quagliarella expressed how the stalker incident affected 5 years of his career and how he now enjoys every moment, trying to make use of whatever time he's been left with in the top flight.

The same attitude reflects in his performances this season. He looks like a man on a mission. He is well aware that there won't be a season like this again and that this is his chance to get his name in the history books.

As many sports psychologists would say, not many footballers possess such mental fortitude. Quagliarella’s desire and his mental strength would prove to be great assets in the race against Ronaldo.