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IF there is one place outside of Argentina that will likely equal, or possibly even exceed, the mourning for Diego Maradona, it is Naples.
While Maradona was revered around the world as perhaps the greatest footballer of all time, in Naples he was more than that.
Maradona was treated like a deity for the way he led Napoli to their only two Serie A titles, in 1987 and 1990, and lifted the spirits of the southern Italian city, which remains far apart both geographically and socioeconomically. of the soccer capitals of the country. from Milan and Turin.
“Maradona was not just a player. He represented the spirit of Napoli for years, ”said former Napoli president Corrado Ferlaino, who owned the club when Maradona played there.
Maradona’s spokesman Sebastián Sanchi said he died Wednesday of a heart attack at the age of 60, two weeks after being discharged from a hospital in Buenos Aires after brain surgery.
Upon hearing the news, thousands of Neapolitans took to the streets of the city to honor Maradona and light candles in his memory, despite the fact that meetings are prohibited because the city is in a coronavirus red zone. Many of them stood under huge murals of their hero that cover entire sides of the downtown buildings.
“It’s so emotional that you can’t put it into words, you can’t explain it,” said a local resident, Francesco Errico. “He gave us a lot. It made us experience amazing emotions. “
Naples Mayor Luigi De Magistris immediately proposed that the city’s San Paolo stadium be renamed after Maradona, and ordered the stadium lights to be on all night even if no matches were played there.
“Maradona is Naples. The passion for him here is known to everyone, ”said de Magistris. “Maradona united Neapolitans from all over the world, as well as fans from other squads.
“Today all Neapolitans embrace their family, with the awareness that this embrace will never end,” added the mayor. “Because it was real love. A great love “.
Maradona, of course, already brought the Italians to tears when his Argentine team eliminated Italy in Naples in the semifinals of the 1990 World Cup. Many Naples fans applauded Maradona and Argentina, not their own country, during that game.
Maradona also led Napoli to the 1989 UEFA Cup title during his seven-season tenure. He also allegedly became a regular cocaine addict in the city, a dependency that ultimately led to his downfall from soccer.
“Yes, he was also a controversial man,” said de Magistris. “But for us, Maradona is the one who made Naples and the Neapolitans dream, with his genius, his uniqueness, he gave us happiness. Many have named their sons Diego, because he was able to redeem a city that was often the target of prejudice and discrimination ”.
As a sign of mourning, Napoli changed his usual blue logo on his Twitter account to black.
“Everyone awaits our words” the club tweeted in Italian. “But what words can we use for the pain we are experiencing? Now is the time for tears. Then the time for words will come. “
Napoli’s current standout Dries Mertens tweeted: “You were the first thing that came to mind when I signed for Napoli. Wearing the blue shirt will mean even more from now on. Naples today lost part of its soul. You were, and always will be, an inspiration to all of us. “
With 128 goals in all competitions, Mertens is Napoli’s all-time top scorer. Marek Hamsik is second with 121 and Maradona is third with 115.
“If my name has ever been placed next to yours, I apologize, I will never be on your level,” Mertens added. “What you did for ‘our’ city will go down in history forever. It was an honor to have met you. Forever my idol “.
Napoli face Croatian Rijeka on Thursday in the Europa League. The San Paolo stadium will be empty of fans due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But fans were already outside the stadium Wednesday night waving banners, singing songs and lighting flares in honor of Maradona.
“He was more than a champion. He was a football genius, an absolute star, ”said Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora, who is from Naples. “He represented unrepeatable dreams and hopes for the people of my city. Naples cries tonight “.
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