Napoli, Argentina and two titles to say goodbye to Maradona

End of November 2020. The football world mourns the loss Diego Armando Maradona. A player capable of success, but also capable of ruining his life with his controversial actions off the field. However, until this season Argentina and Naples they failed to close the circle and turn the page. Able to dismiss the myth that spread his legend. Because Maradona managed to make the Albiceleste triumph all over the world and for the Italian team to be declared the champion of Serie A. And the fact is that in the last titles of both, El Pelusa was part of the team.

Myth

Maradona’s legacy in southern Italy

Years pass, but the memory and love for Diego do not end in Naples. It remains an eternal symbol of the unique duo shield who caressed The Azzurri (1987 and 1990). The history of Maradona and the team intertwined almost 40 years ago. But it began to take shape much earlier. In 1978 Gianni DiMarzio, the coach at the time, visited South America in search of new talent during the World Cup in Argentina. And there he learned a name he will never forget: Diego Maradona. Although he could not sign it then, he did in 1984. From that moment on, a glorious period begins for Napoli.

«I want to be the idol of the poor children of the city because they are like me when I was little at Villa Fiorito,” said Maradona upon his arrival, who always felt very identified with life in Naples. It didn’t take long for him to create a revolution among the fans. Because with his quality he not only led the team to win two league, but also to Coppa, Supercup and UEFA Cup.

He path according to the first shield club started after the victory at the Turin stadium against Juventus. Napoli showed authority, tied the first place and did not let it go. On May 10, 1987, delirium reigned over the city.

Far from settling down, Napoli took a step forward. And he succeeded with his formula Magic (Maradona, Giordano and Careca). The Brazilian and the Argentinian made up a killer duo that led the team to win the second league title with their goals at the expense of rivals such as milan de sachYo El Pelusa magnified his legend. But he also took it upon himself to descend into hell. in 1991 he tested positive for cocaine and was suspended for 15 months. That was his end in Naples.

Despite his decline, the team retired No. 10 in 2006, in the corners Quartieri Spagnoli the shrines and murals of the Argentine still shine, and Saint Paul it was renamed the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium after his death. Now, decades after their success, Napoli are dreaming of a new league.

A dream course

I live in the Champions League and I am the leader in the league

This season is promising for the group Luciano Spalletti. After making one of their best starts of the campaign, they were declared winter champions, facing the round of 16 Champions League against him Frankfurt Eintracht and are looking for the third championship title in their history. And the first without Maradona.

Fifteen points ahead of second-placed Inter, this is Napoli roller. Out of 75 possible points, they collected 65. They lost only two games and drew the same number. Partly thanks to a goal-scoring nose Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen. A duo that delights in Naples.

They are now comparing the Georgian with Maradona. His followers give him a nickname Quaradona at the age of 22, he is vital on the left wing, where he scores goals and assists. He likes to face inside and hang out to get meters with uncontrolled depth. A constant generator of danger that grows when he plays with Osimhen, who as a child looked for football boots in the garbage. Although the striker is not that technical, he has a lot of physical strength, he fixes central defenders and works very well in the air. With the Nigerian, the league’s top scorer with 19 goals, Napoli amortizes more than 70 million that they paid for him (the most expensive signing in the club’s history).

It is a more striking case Stanislav Lobotka. Former Celtic player That didn’t matter to Gattuso, in Spalletti he found a reliable coach with whom he exceeds expectations.

With all the artillery and the wardrobe that the coach of the Partenopean makes great use of, Naples is ready to re-dress as the great Italian and rewrite history.

On top of the world

La Albiceleste finally paid tribute to Maradona

He Aztec Stadium witnessed the crowning of El Pelus as one of the best of all time. The Napoli player led Argentina from billiards become a world champion in in 1986. Maradona started writing his legend in Mexico and showed his quality against England. Two goals against Three lions they gave the Albiceleste a pass to the semi-finals. Impossible to forget.

That was the last time Argentina reached the top of the world. Until 2022 It has been 36 years since the last time the Albiceleste dominated the World Cup, led by a footballer like Maradona. He did it with 10 on his back. As Leo Messi, which was equally decisive for the Argentine team to embroider a third gold star on top of its shield. The PSG player lifted the World Cup into the sky of Lusail, and then climbed onto his shoulders Kun Aguero. Emulating the iconic image of Diego from 1986.

The memory of the former player was not only constantly present among the players — after every victory they went crazy in the locker room singing the song that served as a tribute to Diego, “Guys, we’re excited again” — but also in the mass celebration that paralyzed Buenos Aires receive champions.

The city was flooded with albiceleste t-shirts and flags to celebrate the triple world championship. But also the neighborhood Loyal fairy, Where did Maradona live? Hundreds of fans gathered in his house throughout the championship. Your special Mecca for tracking selections stairs. While Naples, of course, became a small Buenos Aires. Diego’s legacy does not end. But Argentina and the Italian team can now turn the page and honor their God.