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The celebration of the World Cup semifinal between Italy and Argentina in 1990 in San Paolo, Naples, arguably was God’s will. What god, don’t ask. Perhaps the one Diego Armando Maradona believed in.
Diegito was at the height of his glory playing against Napoli. In 1990, a month before the start of the World Cup, the team won another championship, a phenomenon uncommon for a team in poor southern Italy. For this reason (and many others) Maradona was now something of the patron saint of the city.
The great star saw himself in the Neapolitans, especially the poorest. The very poor boy who kicked the ball in the mud in his childhood in Villa Fiorito, Argentina, where he grew up. As soon as he set foot in Naples, he identified with the world.
Before the semi-final on July 3, Maradona made sure to “kill” his favorite Neapolitans: “I cannot ask you to support us, of course, but I do ask you to respect us. “The rest of Italy should know that the Neapolitans are as Italian as they are.”
Spontaneity is very clear. The Neapolitans, for several years, were considered second-class Italians. Napoli were often greeted in stadiums in northern Italy with signs saying “welcome to Italy.” The racism of the North for the South was a fact.
Maradona in the big game against Bergomi
AP
In the refutation of the national anthems before the cross, it seemed that Maradona had achieved his goal. In the Argentine anthem, silence, a show of respect, was almost exemplary. Maybe a banner in the stands read “Diego we love you but Italy is our homeland“But during the game a lot of people faced a big dilemma.
The game, like hell, was dramatic. Toto Scilacci opened the scoring for Italy but Claudio Cania equalized for the Argentines. In the end, everything was judged on penalties.
The great protagonist of Argentina in this World Cup, Sergio Goigocea, caught the penalty from Roberto Donandoni. Maradona beat Walter Zenga comfortably and Italy’s luck “rested” on Aldo Serena. The Italian took the lead, executed but Goigotsea refused. The celebrations were heard in the stadium, not only by the Argentine fans. Many Diego believers exploded!
This was later admitted by Italian goalkeeper Walter Zenga. “We played our first five games in Rome, the support was total. Here, I don’t know, as if something changed, especially after everything Maradona said. The atmosphere was different.”
What else can the man say to describe that Diego had scored the great goal of this match before referee Votro whistled his start …
Thirty years later, graffiti with Maradona adorns many parts of Naples. And now that Diego has embarked on the great journey, they can even build him a church …
The game video
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