The Naples City Council changed the name of Naples Stadium on Friday after the late football genius and favorite adopted son Diego Armando Maradona.
The San Paolo Stadium is now the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in honor of the Argentine legend. Naples led the Naples team to participate in the only Scudetto competition so far in 1987 and 1990, and led the Coppa Italia in 1987 and the UEFA Cup in 1989.
Mayor Luigi de Magistris announced the renaming shortly after Maradona’s death at the age of 60 last week. He affirmed: “People want to do this, and they agree.”
The council said at the meeting on Friday: ”Maradona embodies the symbol of a team’s redemption. In the darkest years, he proved that it is possible to stand up again, win and win, while providing hope and beauty. The entire city, because of the Argentine Champion’s football victory, Naples not only won the championship, but the entire city fully embodies his personality..Maradona has always been on the side of the most vulnerable civilians. He fought against the prejudice and discrimination still suffered by the Neapolitans in the stadium and became the icon of the entire city, which freed him from his human weakness and vulnerability.”
The council recalled the news that Maradona became an honorary citizen of Naples in 2017, saying that “no one has ever imitated the body and soul of Naples in such a complete way” and said “Pibe de Oro”. Sharing his talent and uniqueness, including his excesses and torture, made him the true son of this city.”
