Naples: San Paolo renamed Diego Armando Maradona stadium

It was expected, it's (almost) official.

The Naples city council voted this Friday, unanimously, to rename the San Paolo stadium.

The Neapolitan enclosure will henceforth be called “Diego Armando Maradona stadium”.

The only thing missing is the agreement of the prefect of the province of Naples for the decision to be definitively recorded.

A formality.

The mayor of Naples, Luigi de Magistris, submitted this proposal after the death of the Argentine star on November 25.

In a statement, the town hall hails "the greatest footballer of all time", recalling that the one who has been nicknamed "El Pibe de Oro" has "honored the jersey of the Naples team for seven years, giving him the two historic championships and other prestigious cups, and receiving in exchange from the whole city an eternal and unconditional love ”.

|

Benvenuti hello Stadio Diego Armando Maradona!

https://t.co/clvAZhrMID

# ForzaNapoliSemprepic.twitter.com / rwc2TVT7KY

- Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) December 4, 2020

Died at the age of 60 from a cardiac arrest, Maradona indeed wore the Neapolitan colors between 1984 and 1991, with two coronations in the Italian championship (1987, 1990), the Italian Cup (1987) and the Cup of UEFA (1989) to the key.

The Italian Supercup also (1991).

"Thanks to the football victories of the Argentine champion, it was not only the Napoli team that won, but the whole city, which fully identifies with him," the statement continued.

Always on the side of the weakest and ordinary people, Maradona fought the prejudices and discriminations to which the Neapolitans were still subjected inside the stadiums, becoming the idol of the whole city.

The weaknesses and frailties of man have never eclipsed the greatness of the champion. "

Diego Maradona has played 259 matches for Napoli (115 goals).

Read also

• Diego Maradona, the legend of success and excess of the "golden kid"