Napoli’s worship to Maradona is one of the biggest reasons to plan a football trip to Naples. But what’s the connection between the Argentine player and the Italian club?
The Advent of a Star
It was like the arrival of a god. When Diego Armando Maradona was introduced as a new Napoli player, more than 75.000 fans packed Stadio San Paolo. They felt their new idol would take their team to new heights, and their hopes turned out to be true.
It all started in the summer of 1984, when he was signed by Napoli for the equivalent of 8 million euros after a somewhat disappointing 2-year stint at FC Barcelona. When Maradona arrived in Naples, he immediately became an icon. Napoli’s trophy case wasn’t loaded with trophies at the moment, but that would soon change under the guidance of the Argentinian star.
Southern Underdogs
Historically, Northern clubs have dominated the Italian football scene. The 1980s were no exception. When Napoli signed Maradona, Naples’ inhabitants felt that they were treated as second-class citizens, compared to the Northern cities. This feeling was also translated to football, where clubs like Juventus, AC Milan or Inter looked at Napoli and the other Southern clubs over the shoulder.
Before Maradona’s arrival, Napoli had only experienced little success in the Coppa Italia, but winning the Serie A was just a wild, unattainable fantasy.
Maradona Becomes a Hero
After a difficult first season, Maradona took Napoli to third place one year later, right before the 1986 World Cup. It was a exciting prelude of things to come. During that summer in Mexico, Maradona played like never before, scoring two memorable goals against England and eventually winning the tournament with Argentina. When he returned to Naples, the city saw their biggest dream come true. Napoli edged out Juventus and Inter, becoming Serie A champions for the first time. Not only that, they also won the Coppa Italia, beating Atalanta in the final.
Napoli’s Golden Era
Not only Napoli became one of the best Italian teams of the moment, the city was also transformed under Maradona. Guided by the Argentinian idol, the Gli Azzurri experienced a golden era, winning the UEFA Cup in 1989 and another Serie A title in 1990. For Naples, it also felt like a revenge, after all those losing seasons against the Northern clubs. Even AC Milan tried to sign Maradona, but he remained loyal to Napoli. Overall, he scored 78 goals in 115 matches in seven seasons, winning four titles for the Partenopei. It was in Naples where Maradona became one of the best football players of all time.
His achievements are more impressive considering the Serie A was the top European league at the time. Teams spent big in the 1980s to attract the best players in the world, and clubs were loaded with talent. Platini, Zico, Van Basten, Gullit or Matthäus are just a few of the many stars that played in Italy.
Divided Heart
One of Maradona’s most memorable matches at San Paolo happened actually when he was playing for Argentina. He was playing the 1990 World Cup semi-finals against Italy in Naples, and he asked local fans to root for him, instead of the hosts. But it was too much to ask.
Napoli fans displayed banners stating that “Maradona is in our hearts, but Italy is our homeland”. In the end, Argentina won the match in the penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw, in one of the best matches of the tournament. They would lose the final against Germany.
Death of an Icon
Maradona was 60 years old when he died in 2020. And his loss was deeply felt all over the football world, especially in Naples. It was the death of a legendary footballer, the one that took Napoli to the highest levels. In fact, they haven’t won the Serie A since then, and they even were relegated to Serie C after serious economic troubles. Immediately after Maradona’s death, city and club agreed that Stadio San Paolo Stadium was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Naples’ love for Maradona never dissipated after he left Napoli in 1992.
What to See in a Football Trip to Naples
In a city where Maradona is revered as a saint, it’s a sin to escape from his numerous homages that populate Naples. You’ll find a lot of tributes in the streets of the Quartieri Spagnoli, from huge murals to tiny altars. Not to mention the numerous graffitis, figurines and shirts. Naples might not be the most beautiful city in the world, but it’s certainly a magical place for a football fan.
That should whet your appetite prior to a football match at Stadio Diego Maradona. It’s a huge stadium located in the Fuorigrotta neighborhood, with a capacity for 55,000 fans. It was originally built in 1959, and has been slightly renovated since then. If you buy a ticket for both Curva sections, behind each of the goals, you’ll be surrounded by the most passionate fans of the stadium. The stadium might look a bit old and rusty, but that’s part of the beauty. You’ll experience one of the best atmospheres in European football. Also, Napoli is now one of the best Italian teams right now.
Eager to immerse in Napoli’s football culture? Book your football trip to Naples and immerse yourself in a city like no other.