From a football perspective, Naples is synonymous with one name. The cult of Maradona in Naples can be felt on every corner and mural. How can one describe the feeling Neapolitans have for the Number 10?
Maradona left a legacy that lives on in Naples to this day. Walking through the historic center and near the recently renamed Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, it’s clear how much Neapolitans love one of their greatest idols, not only in football.
In this article we’ll describe the Maradona murals in Naples and the Maradona shrine inside one of the city’s legendary bars. Let’s explore!
🔝 Check out this article on things to do in Naples beyond Maradona.
1) The history of Maradona in Naples
To revisit this love story, we need to look at the stats. Maradona joined Napoli in 1984 and played until 1991. With Diego, Napoli won two Italian league titles, its only UEFA Cup, an Italian Super Cup, and an Italian Cup.
It wasn’t until 2012 that Napoli would lift another Italian Cup, a title they would win twice more in 2014 and 2020. In 2023, they would win their third league title—the only one without Maradona. It took many years for the club to win trophies again.
Numbers speak for themselves. This, aside from the fact that Maradona was one of the greatest football players in history, perhaps the greatest, as proven on the pitch.
📷 Check out the Maradona Tour in Naples and book your spot. A must-do!
2) Maradona’s idolization in Naples
Beyond the numbers, Neapolitans idolize Maradona because he was more than just a football hero. And here lies perhaps the strongest point—something deeply social. With the Italian league titles, Diego restored dignity to Naples, a city long overshadowed by northern cities like Milan or Turin.
It was the moment when the South defeated the North, when Napoli beat Juventus or Milan, when the poor defeated the rich. The moment Neapolitans felt superior, a sense of revenge against the North. Maradona was at the center of a team that went north and won. That pride is what Neapolitans still feel today.
Not long ago, I watched a 2010 interview with Maradona where he spoke about Napoli. A few phrases stuck with me that summed up the Neapolitan spirit:
- Neapolitans were tired of teams like Juve, Torino, Milan, Inter coming to San Paolo and thrashing us. In those years, things changed.
- We’d go play in northern Italy and they’d call us African blacks. My anger in the 1990 World Cup (banners during the semi-final played in Naples against Italy saying “sorry Diego, but we’re Italian”) was because Neapolitans were made to believe for 30 days that they were treated the same as northerners.
- Those of us who played in that team are idols in Naples. But as time goes on, we’ll only become bigger idols. I don’t think Napoli can ever win again what we achieved back then.
3) Maradona murals in Naples
Walking through the streets of the historic center, you’ll come across Maradona murals every 500 or 600 meters. Maradona’s face shouting a goal in the Napoli jersey, lifting the 1986 World Cup with Argentina, or mentioned as the creator of “Calcio by Maradona.”
Many shops even display posters with the front page of Gazzetta dello Sport from the day Maradona signed for Napoli. Incredible!
Since Maradona’s passing, the stadium formerly known as San Paolo has been renamed Diego Armando Maradona, and there’s now a monument in his honor outside, where Neapolitans leave flowers, notes, and both Argentine and Neapolitan flags.
4) Maradona’s shrine in Naples
Yes, Maradona even has a shrine in Naples. Bar Nilo, located on Piazzetta Nilo Street in the historic center, is a small café with something unique. Its owner, a passionate Napoli fan, created a Maradona shrine with candles, images of the Number 10, memorabilia, flags, and framed pictures.
They even have the Ten Commandments of the Maradonian Church! Rumor has it one of the jars contains the idol’s tears. To enter, you just need to order something (a coffee is enough). It’s also worth chatting with the owners, true Neapolitans—especially if you tell them you’re Argentine.
It’s a joy to be Argentine in this city, because when you say where you’re from and the answer is Argentina, the first word Neapolitans say is MARADONA.
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