The Naples Hero

Just imagine the greatness of a person who divided a nation known for its rich footballing heritage into two parts. He caused massive civil war across the country, with their own supporters backing an opposition team in a FIFA World Cup match.

Italy hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1990, the first time since 1934. After a 66-year gap, Italy emerged as a footballing superpower, with the excitement being extraordinary at that moment. During those days, almost every football superstar graced the streets of Milan, Rome, Turin, and Naples. However, something was missing in the daily life of Italians. Generation after generation was eager to witness the greatest show on earth, sitting in packed stadiums, but this time the World Cup was at their doorstep.

For decades, the country had survived on a fiercely divided club culture. But it was the International Games that stuck them in one thread. While club football sometimes creates a massive anarchy in the land of veins, one could go for another’s blood. But that time, they hoped for brotherhood days, as finally they could sit together at their iconic stadiums without any restrictions on home and away crowds.

During those years, Italy’s finest legends stayed loyal to Italian clubs. Franco Baresi, Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, and Roberto Mancini were not just footballers — they were symbols of local pride. Fans felt a deep emotional bond with them.

At the same time, Serie A attracted the biggest names from abroad. Lothar Matthäus, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, and Ruud Gullit — giants who elevated Italian football to an entirely new level.

But even these superstars could not generate the electricity sparked by one man: Diego Armando Maradona.

Instead of joining Milan, Juventus, or Inter, Maradona chose Napoli in 1984 — a club with little silverware and even less respect from the wealthy north. They had less history of winning the league and other competitive tournaments, where Maradona decided he could be a standout star, while in any other big clubs, he just found himself as one among many.

Now back to the story. Maradona’s Argentina was the defending world champion, and they arrived in Italy to defend their title. The people of Naples eagerly cheered their hero. As the Argentine had already led them to their first Serie A title in 1987, not only did they end the trophy drought but they also won another Serie A in 1890. Thanks to the magical spell cast by the sky blues, Maradona still holds a special place in the hearts of the Nilopolis. To the city, Maradona was not just a footballer. He was the man who gave an ignored, impoverished, crime-ridden city a new identity.

So far, except for every Italian city, Neapolitans were supporting two nations at that World Cup. But things became complicated when Italy had to face Argentina in the Semi-final. Ironically, the match was allotted to Stadio San Paolo, Napoli’s home stadium.

But before the match, Maradona directly asked for the support of Naples.

“For 364 days a year, Italy treats Naples like outsiders — and now they want you all to be patriots?” He added, “I am one of your”

For the folks of Paradise Coast, it was no less than an inner war, as their hearts bit for Italy but souls belonged to Maradona. The next day, when the match started, they genuinely cheered for Italy, but their loyalty blurred when it came to the second half. Minutes passed, and the spectators started to support their home boy. Every touch from Maradona drew louder roars. Even Argentina registered a victory after a thrilling penalty shootout where Maradona scored the winning goal, and the environment built around him stabbed Italy in their own house.

Naples had to pay the cost too. Supporting a rival nation instead of your own is widely considered a criminal activity. It’s almost liked a civil war in Italy. Radio shows were flooded with angry callers labelling Naples “unpatriotic. Some northern papers said Naples “chose Maradona over Italy.” Napoli fans were insulted across the country.

But it was the Neapolitans who only knew what Maradona meant to them. From the shattered streets of neglected Naples, where crimes were a normal affair, and whose poverty was often avoided, while Maradona gave them an identity to live. Maradona gave what they were looking for so long. In return, Naples made him immortal, the special one to them. The Naples Hero.