HE GAVE NAPLES A VOICE AND WON THEIR HEARTS

A VIDEO doing the rounds on social media captures the essence of Diego Maradona’s best days at Napoli. On a training pitch that resembles a paddy field, in front of a handful of fans, Maradona makes the most of a rare chance to lose himself in the pure joy of football. With nearly all his team-mates back in the changing rooms, Maradona goes through his repertoire against a hapless goalkeeper: chips, volleys with both feet, a Panenka penalty, an overhead kick and — yes — even a handball. He celebrates the goals as though he has scored them in a World Cup final. Maradona’s seven years in Naples were, at times, as complicated as the rest of his life but he found his release at the intimidating, ramshackle Stadio San Paolo. Derided for so long by fans of clubs in Italy’s wealthier north, Napoli suddenly had a way to make their voice heard. Maradona led Napoli to two Italian league titles — something they had never achieved before, something they have never achieved since — the UEFA Cup, the Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup. Five major honours in four years. No wonder Neapolitans regard him as they do San Gennaro, the city’s patron saint. This adulation could also prove dangerous. Before the 1990 World Cup semi-final at the San Paolo between Italy and Argentina, Maradona sought to play politics by arguing Napoli fans should turn their backs on the host nation because of the way Italy’s south is treated by the north. Many felt Maradona had gone too far. There were also links to leaders of the Camorra, an organised crime group. But the Diego that Naples will always remember is the magician on that muddy training ground who took a city to his heart.