Diego Maradona's Legend Will Always Live on in Napoli

A mural depicting Diego Maradona, by street artist Jorit, is painted on a building in Naples, Italy, March 24, 2017. (AP)
A mural depicting Diego Maradona, by street artist Jorit, is painted on a building in Naples, Italy, March 24, 2017. (AP)
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Diego Maradona's Legend Will Always Live on in Napoli

A mural depicting Diego Maradona, by street artist Jorit, is painted on a building in Naples, Italy, March 24, 2017. (AP)
A mural depicting Diego Maradona, by street artist Jorit, is painted on a building in Naples, Italy, March 24, 2017. (AP)

If there’s one place outside Argentina that will likely match — or possibly even exceed — the outpouring of mourning for Diego Maradona, it’s in Naples.

While Maradona was revered around the world as perhaps the greatest football player ever, in Naples he was more than that.

Maradona was treated as a deity for the way he led Napoli to its only two Serie A titles — in 1987 and 1990 — and raised the spirits of the southern Italian city, which remains far removed both geographically and socio-economically from the country’s football capitals of Milan and Turin.

“Maradona wasn’t just a player. He represented the spirit of Napoli for years,” said former Napoli president Corrado Ferlaino, who owned the club when Maradona played there.

A person close to Maradona said he died Wednesday of a heart attack. He was 60. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Upon hearing the news, Naples Mayor Luigi De Magistris immediately proposed that the city’s San Paolo Stadium be renamed for Maradona — and ordered the stadium's lights be turned on all night even though there was no game being played there.

“Maradona is Napoli. The passion for him here is known to everyone,” De Magistris said. “Maradona united Neapolitans all over the world — as well as fans of other squads.

“Today all Neapolitans embrace his family, with the awareness that this embrace will never end,” the mayor added. “Because it was real love. A great love.”

Maradona also led Napoli to the 1989 UEFA Cup title during his seven-season stay. He also allegedly became a regular cocaine addict in the city — a dependence that eventually led to his downfall from football.

“Yes, he was also a controversial man,” De Magistris said. “But for us Maradona is the one who made Naples and Neapolitans dream — with his genius, his uniqueness, he gave us happiness. Many have named their sons Diego, for he was able to redeem a city that was often the target of prejudices and discrimination.”

In a sign of mourning, Napoli changed its usual blue logo on its Twitter account to black.

“Everyone is awaiting our words,” the club tweeted in Italian. “But what words can we use for the pain that we are experiencing? Now is the moment for tears. Then will come the time for words.”

Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora, who is from Naples, said: “He was more than a champion. He was a football genius, an absolute star. He represented unrepeatable dreams and hopes for the people of my city. Naples cries tonight.”



Liverpool Agree Club-record Deal to Sign Wirtz

Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
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Liverpool Agree Club-record Deal to Sign Wirtz

Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)

Liverpool have agreed a club-record deal worth up to £116 million ($157 million) to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, it was widely reported on Friday.

The Premier League champions will pay an initial £100 million, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, but the performance-related add-ons, if achieved, would make it a potential British record, AFP reported.

Liverpool's overall outlay for the 22-year-old Germany international could surpass the £115 million Chelsea agreed to pay Brighton in 2023 for Moises Caicedo, who turned down Anfield.

Midfielder Caicedo cost Chelsea an initial £100 million fee, which could rise to £115 million.

Striker Darwin Nunez was Liverpool's previous record signing in 2022, although they have not paid the full £85 million as he has not met all the requirements for certain add-ons to be due.

Manchester City had been keen on Wirtz but pulled out, reportedly due to the spiraling costs of the whole package.