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Calcio Comment: Why Is Diego Maradona So Loved In Napoli?
As Goal.com celebrates the 50th birthday of El Pibe d’Oro, Stefano Federici looks at Maradona’s lasting impact in Napule.
Oct 30, 2010 3:00:00 AM
By Stefano Federici
In footballing terms Naples remains arguably the most unique city in Italy given the presence of only one club,Napoli, in the third largest populated commune on the peninsula. In contrast to Rome, Milan and Turin where the cities loyalties are divided between two clubs, the Partenopei have the undivided attentions of nearly one million inhabitants who generate a massive wave of enthusiasm each weekend.
A city which has often lived in the shadows of its much wealthier northern counterparts, Naples and Neapolitans are proud to highlight the qualities which set them apart from their fellow countrymen. Alongside many culinary, religious and dialectal differences, Diego Maradona was, is and will always be a name that defines popular culture in the bay of Naples.
So why is the 5ft5in pint-sized genius still so loved in Napoli?
The answer is simple. Success.
“Diego had the ability to change a normal team into a winning team, and a complicated city into a winning city,” declared Goal Italia’s Sergio Chesi.
“In Naples, he is a true God. When Diego came here, Napoli were the strongest and most spectacular side in Italy. He arrived in 1984 fresh in the wake of the 1980 earthquake, economic troubles and a bad situation in employment and crime. At that time, he was the smiling face of Naples, able for the first time in history to compete with richest cities like Milan and Turin.”
Maradona led the Partenopei to two Serie A championships and a UEFA cup during his seven years with the Azzurri. Since his departure in 1991 the Campania outfit have endured some difficult times even falling as far as Serie C just six years ago. With Napoli unable to equal their dizzy heights of the late 80s Maradona’s cult status remains solid largely thanks to his unique relationship with his former supporters.
“He was a hero who came from within,” declared Paolo Petrungaro, an Argentine immigrant living in Rome and lifelong Napoli fan.
“The people could relate to him because he had a suffered background. Although he was not Italian, Diego understood the importance of ‘sticking it to the man’ and getting one over on the northern giants.
“By leading Napoli to the Scudetto, he showed the rest of Italy that success could still be found south of the capital despite a much weaker financial starting point.”
Maradona instilled the city with civic pride on a national scale and gave the people something to be proud about.
“He gave luster, prestige and importance to a city with a lot of problems,” adds Sergio Chesi.
“Diego symbolizes happiness, redemption and revenge for the city of Naples. Testament to this was the 70,000 fans who went to San Paolo in 2005 when he returned for the first time in Italy to be present at Ciro Ferrara’s testimonial match.”
Maradona personified the city as a whole given his outstanding natural talent which was often tainted by off-field personal issues. Nevertheless, despite a dark connection with illegal substances and organized crime groups, the Argentine’s less than perfect image only brought him closer to the people.
Now, with the Azzurri once again a fighting force in the Italian game, Maradona remains the one and only symbol of the Partenopei despite the arrival of new heroes including Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani. Given his remarkable achievements at such a difficult moment in the city’s history however, it seems likely the Argentine will never be surpassed for affection in the hearts of the people.
Keep up to date with Serie A and Italy news with Goal.com's Italy page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
A city which has often lived in the shadows of its much wealthier northern counterparts, Naples and Neapolitans are proud to highlight the qualities which set them apart from their fellow countrymen. Alongside many culinary, religious and dialectal differences, Diego Maradona was, is and will always be a name that defines popular culture in the bay of Naples.
So why is the 5ft5in pint-sized genius still so loved in Napoli?
The answer is simple. Success.
“Diego had the ability to change a normal team into a winning team, and a complicated city into a winning city,” declared Goal Italia’s Sergio Chesi.
“In Naples, he is a true God. When Diego came here, Napoli were the strongest and most spectacular side in Italy. He arrived in 1984 fresh in the wake of the 1980 earthquake, economic troubles and a bad situation in employment and crime. At that time, he was the smiling face of Naples, able for the first time in history to compete with richest cities like Milan and Turin.”
Maradona led the Partenopei to two Serie A championships and a UEFA cup during his seven years with the Azzurri. Since his departure in 1991 the Campania outfit have endured some difficult times even falling as far as Serie C just six years ago. With Napoli unable to equal their dizzy heights of the late 80s Maradona’s cult status remains solid largely thanks to his unique relationship with his former supporters.
“He was a hero who came from within,” declared Paolo Petrungaro, an Argentine immigrant living in Rome and lifelong Napoli fan.
“The people could relate to him because he had a suffered background. Although he was not Italian, Diego understood the importance of ‘sticking it to the man’ and getting one over on the northern giants.
“By leading Napoli to the Scudetto, he showed the rest of Italy that success could still be found south of the capital despite a much weaker financial starting point.”
Maradona instilled the city with civic pride on a national scale and gave the people something to be proud about.
“He gave luster, prestige and importance to a city with a lot of problems,” adds Sergio Chesi.
“Diego symbolizes happiness, redemption and revenge for the city of Naples. Testament to this was the 70,000 fans who went to San Paolo in 2005 when he returned for the first time in Italy to be present at Ciro Ferrara’s testimonial match.”
Maradona personified the city as a whole given his outstanding natural talent which was often tainted by off-field personal issues. Nevertheless, despite a dark connection with illegal substances and organized crime groups, the Argentine’s less than perfect image only brought him closer to the people.
Now, with the Azzurri once again a fighting force in the Italian game, Maradona remains the one and only symbol of the Partenopei despite the arrival of new heroes including Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani. Given his remarkable achievements at such a difficult moment in the city’s history however, it seems likely the Argentine will never be surpassed for affection in the hearts of the people.
Keep up to date with Serie A and Italy news with Goal.com's Italy page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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