On an emotionally charged evening in Naples, football club Napoli and its devoted supporters came together to pay a moving tribute to the late, great Diego Maradona, marking five years since his passing.
A Stadium United in Memory
The poignant commemoration took place on Tuesday, just before Napoli's crucial Champions League fixture against Qarabag. As the teams prepared for the match, the stadium screens illuminated with a powerful video montage celebrating Maradona's extraordinary life and career. A stadium announcer's voice echoed around the ground, stating, "Napoli wants to remember you with a special video. Five years ago the greatest of all time left us." This declaration was met with a thunderous, unified chant of "Diego, Diego" from the entire crowd.
The Tenth-Minute Salute
In a heartfelt gesture during the tenth minute of the game, honouring the iconic number 10 shirt worn by Maradona, the Napoli faithful unleashed a wave of emotion. Supporters waved flags, scarves, and team shirts high in the air while singing songs dedicated to their hero. The chant "there's only one Maradona" rang out, a simple yet powerful testament to his unique and enduring legacy at the club.
The Legacy of a Football God
Diego Maradona passed away from a heart attack on 25 November 2020 at the age of 60. His death came just two weeks after he was discharged from a hospital in Buenos Aires, where he had undergone surgery for a blood clot on the brain.
His connection to Napoli is the stuff of legend. Maradona played for the Italian side from 1984 to 1991, a period in which he achieved god-like status. He famously led the team to their first-ever Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, feats that cemented his place in the city's heart forever. During his tenure, he also secured the Coppa Italia in 1987 and the UEFA Cup in 1989.
In a permanent mark of respect following his death, the club's stadium was renamed the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Beyond his club success, Maradona is universally regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and was instrumental in their run to the final four years later in 1990.
Victory on an Emotional Night
On this night of remembrance, manager Antonio Conte's team also secured an important 2-0 victory against their opponents from Azerbaijan. The deadlock was broken by Scott McTominay in the 65th minute. The win was sealed just seven minutes later when Marko Jankovic scored an own goal. This result gives the reigning Serie A champions seven points from their five Champions League matches, leaving them within touching distance of the top eight in the 36-team league phase table.
