Argentine striker Ocampos proud to play for Genoa

Rome, July 14 (IANS) Argentine striker Lucas Ocampos is proud to play for the Italian football club Genoa, which he on Thursday described as Italy's "number one club".

Ocampos said in an interview published by Il Secolo XIX that he has been told about the history of Genoa, its fans and the derby against Sampdoria, which he compared to the River-Boca derby in Argentina.

The Argentine, who at 22 has already played four seasons in Europe with Monaco and Marseille, said he was inspired by Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Angel Di Maria, reports Efe.

Ocampos, who suffered a severe hamstring injury last season at Marseille, stressed that next season will be very important for him to restore confidence.