Argentina and Naples in mourning for Maradona; 'a God who was not a saint'

Julio Algañaraz

11/26/2020 12:36

• Clarín.com

• sports

Updated 11/26/2020 12:36 PM

Despite the fact that

the

of the Neapolitans also made thanks to the figure of Diego Armando Maradona,

, he mobilized this Thursday in a thousand ways between tears and silence in the largest metropolis in southern Italy.

The writer Roberto Saviano, author of "Gomorra" and in police custody because a decade ago the camorra sentenced him to death, recalled that his greatest feat was to turn the condition of the periphery of Naples into the

As happened to millions of Neapolitans, "Maradona was the rebellious myth that brought

to my childhood," wrote Saviano.

“I believed in the cult of his divinity.

Only now do I realize that it was mortal.

With its virtues and vices it has been the synthesis of all the best and worst that my land has generated. "

The Neapolitans mourning Diego.

Photo: Reuters

“No people have loved me so much,” Maradona acknowledged when he spoke to a crowd of 10,000 cheering him in 2017, when he was conferred honorary citizenship of Naples.

It is not the time to say goodbye "because the memory of Diego will always be with us, I live as it has been in all these years."

That afternoon in 1984

It all started that afternoon in 1984 when Maradona was presented at the

which will now bear his name, after Corrado Ferlaíno had bought

his pass to Barcelona at a high

, who wanted to get

rid

of him.

It was logical: no two moods are more different than those of the capital of the Catalan soul and

, always waiting for a claim that seemed impossible.

That waiting was over.

Diego Armando Maradona demonstrated his skills as a

to lead the rebirth of the city.

It wasn't just football.

What was extraordinary was

between the people and their sports leader.

Saviano said that it is difficult for him to explain "that as a God, errors, vices, were only the shadow that made God even brighter."

Like the dirty gods of classical Greece, their validity was the kinship with humans, "so similar to us", thus exalting their quality.

Diego made Napoli win five national and European titles.

Photo: AP

Maradona was

.

Diego is all in that boy who plays in the mud in the suburban slum of Buenos Aires, who when asked what he wants to do answers with the incredible perspective of a genius: "I want to play a World Cup and win it."

The rescue, writes Saviano, means everything because a team from the south never won a European cup, nor an

Italian

, nor was it ever in the center of world attention.

"Diego made Napoli win five national and European titles, he kept a promise of happiness that others had betrayed. He decided not to play for the rich Juventus of Turin, owned by Fiat. Only this was for us the reason for an indissoluble bond Maradona fulfilled the vendetta that the Neapolitans had waited for all their lives. "

Cry the peace

Here is

unanimous

for Maradona.

Mourning is lived today in Naples on all corners, in the squares, in the streets and in the squares.

Little desire to speak and a lot to cry.

Like Pilar, who takes off the mandatory mask to wipe her face.

She is an Argentinian daughter of Italians who studies in the city.

“I am comforted by the pain shared with these wonderful people.

The love that only asks to be allowed to cry in peace is impressive ”.

Tributes to Maradona spread throughout Naples.

Photo: AP

In San Gregorio Armenio, the street of the master craftsmen who sell animated nativity scenes all over the world, which include figures of the present time, Diego young appeared already on Thursday morning dressed in Naples clothes and

in the back.

It will not be a saint, but an angel.

In the Spanish neighborhoods, in San Giovanni a Teduccio, in Posilipo, where there are murals that exalt his figure, tributes are spread: flowers, drawings of the boys, many candles, flags in the gardens of Santa Barbara in the historic center.

In front of the stadium that will be called Diego Armando Maradona next week, there are thousands who disdain the concerns of avoiding human crowds due to the deadly coronavirus, they get together and from time to time they warm up, sing, shout slogans, all deification of crack.

In the Spanish neighborhood is the oldest and most famous of the murals that shows a

Diego

.

In the alleys of the most typical neighborhood of Naples so many people are concentrated who sing present.

It is here that you can eat a secret pizza because it is only available in some places in Naples.

The fried pizza, which

Bruno Alcidi, owner of the Nilo bar, begins to cry in front of the journalists who ask him to show Diego's famous hat that he guards as

Diego's "Diez" in every corner of Naples.

Photo: Reuters

A stadium with your name

Funeral manifestos announcing the death of Maradona are spread through the streets, full of

and love for the beloved son.

“Diego was one of the family here in Naples as in Buenos Aires.

Many Argentine tourists came here before the epidemic because they know that this is the center of the Diego cult.

And they come to my bar to see Diego's hat, which is already a relic, ”says Alcidi.

After the mayor of Naples took the lead of those who want to call the legendary San Pablo stadium Maradona, "Operation Clamor"

.

The municipal committee that should promote the project will meet on Monday.

In a few days the name change will be decided and thousands of Neapolitans will attend the ceremony in which the stadium will be named after Diego Armando Maradona.

40 years have passed, but the Neapolitans repeat that Diego never left Naples because he

and memories of the people.

The word has spread and on the balconies, the windows, the walls, flags, T-shirts, Napoli's scarves are put on.

"The city is turning blue."

The wave will culminate with the inauguration of the stadium with the name of Maradona.

Rome, correspondent

ap

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Maradona's wake: a silent pilgrimage of almost 10 blocks

Maradona died: moved Naples pays honors to its king