SSC Napoli owes Maradona the return to the big football stage. That was more than thirty years ago, but the Argentine still enjoys cult status in the Sicilian city. After Maradona’s death, the fans mourn, the club pays homage to the “hand of God”. In “Argentine” special jerseys, the Italian first division soccer club SSC Napoli has once again commemorated its deceased club icon Diego Maradona. In honor of the Argentine who led Napoli to their only championship titles in 1987 and 1990 and to winning the Uefa Cup in 1989, the southern Italians competed in the match against AS Roma (4–0) in shirts with blue and white vertical stripes in the traditional design of the Argentine National team.
The textile homage to the globally mourned idol was planned before Maradona’s death, according to the association’s gifts. Now, however, the gesture would have an even greater meaning than originally thought. Naples captain and later leading goalscorer Lorenzo Insigne laid a wreath of flowers in front of a large picture of Maradona at the main portal of the local San Paolo stadium, which will shortly be named after the club’s most famous player, before the kick-off of the duel with Rome. On his captain’s armband was “Adios 10” in memory of Maradona’s shirt number, to which the interruption in the tenth minute of the game with long applause from all players and delegation members of both teams should be a reference. Before kick-off, both teams thought Maradona with a minute’s silence. Shortly before the start of the game, Naples mayor Luigi de Magistris announced that Maradona would be honored in the cityscape of the metropolis at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. The mayor confirmed on social media plans by the city administration to dedicate a new subway station to the legendary ball artist.