Edinson Cavani Is Honored the Neapolitan Way—With Pizza

In 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy was honored in Naples with the creation of the Pizza Margherita, and now in 2010, Napoli striker Edinson Cavani receives a similar tribute.

Unveiled after Napoli's victory over Parma, the pizza, known as the “Cavani-Matador” (his nickname is El Matador) is shaped like a montera, the hat traditionally worn by bullfighters.

Filled with mozzarella and prosciutto, and featuring pancetta, tomatoes, mushrooms and provolone, it was created by a pizzeria in the Fuorigrotta section of Naples where Napoli plays its home games. Imitations and variations are appearing throughout the city.

It isn’t hard to see why Napoli fans have taken to the young Uruguayan striker—he’s scored eight goals in 10 Serie A games, tying him with Samuel Eto’o for first place in the scoring category.

Were he to win the league-scoring title, he would be the first Napoli player to do so since Diego Maradona did it in 1990 with 16 goals, and if there is one sure way to win the hearts of Neapolitan fans, it is to remind them of Maradona.

Since he arrived from Palermo this summer, Cavani has fit in nicely with a Napoli attack led by Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi. He has found a niche in complementing their tireless play with speed and finesse.

The combination has Napoli contending for a spot in the Champions League, and Manchester United is said to be interested in both Hamsik and Cavani.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has stated, however, that the duo will remain in Naples, which is good news for those hoping to try the “Cavani-Matador.”