Leave it to Diego Maradona to draw fans to a stadium they couldn’t enter.
Thousands of Napoli supporters made a pilgrimage to the San Paolo stadium Thursday to light a candle, leave a scarf or a shirt and shed some tears in memory of their hero.
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Leave it to Diego Maradona to draw fans to a stadium they couldn’t enter.
Instead, Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne exited the stadium and joined the fans for a few minutes to lay a bouquet next to the supporters’ tributes.
“He always defended us, both when he played here and after he left,” said Insigne, who is from Naples. “He always carried us in his heart. And now we need to carry him in our hearts since he’s gone. It hurts. It’s a sad day for us Neapolitans."
In the meantime, an image of Maradona graced the big screens inside the stadium during the game against Rijeka.
Napoli sports director Cristiano Giuntoli said, “We’re all shocked and hurt.”
People gather and light candles to honor soccer legend Diego Maradona, at the popular "Quartieri Spagnoli" neighborhood, in Naples, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Maradona died on Wednesday at the age of 60 of a heart attack in a house outside Buenos Aires where he recovered from a brain operation. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, fans were not permitted inside to see Napoli’s Europa League game against Croatian side Rijeka.
A couple embraces in front of a banner remembering soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona "the king" hanging from the San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Maradona died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 in Buenos Aires. (Alessandro GarofaloLaPresse via AP)
Instead, Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne exited the stadium and joined the fans for a few minutes to lay a bouquet next to the supporters’ tributes.
The entire city was declared in mourning for the soccer great, who died Wednesday of a heart attack at age 60, two weeks after being released from a hospital in Buenos Aires following brain surgery.
Maradona led Napoli to its only two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990 and is considered a god-like figure in the southern city.
Banners and pictures in memory of Diego Armando Maradona who died yesterday, are shown on the screen before the Napoli against Rijeka group F soccer match of the Europa League, at the San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy, Thursday Nov. 26, 2020. Alessandro Garofalo LaPresse via AP)
“He always defended us, both when he played here and after he left,” said Insigne, who is from Naples. “He always carried us in his heart. And now we need to carry him in our hearts since he’s gone. It hurts. It’s a sad day for us Neapolitans."
“The entire squad and club lends its support to the family,” Insigne added. “He was the greatest player ever and we’re honored that he wore Napoli’s shirt and played in this stadium.”
Naples Mayor Luigi De Magistris announced earlier that he has begun the formal process to rename San Paolo the Diego Armando Maradona stadium.
People look memorabilia outside the San Paolo stadium commemorating soccer legend Diego Maradona, in Naples, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Maradona died on Wednesday at the age of 60 of a heart attack in a house outside Buenos Aires where he recovered from a brain operation. (AP PhotoSalvatore Laporta)
In the meantime, an image of Maradona graced the big screens inside the stadium during the game against Rijeka.
All of Napoli’s players went out onto the pitch wearing shirts with Maradona’s No. 10 and his name on the back, before changing into their own numbers before kickoff. Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso also put on a Maradona shirt.
Both teams wore black armbands and stood for a minute of silence at the center circle before the game started. Napoli’s players interlocked their arms.
A fan waves a flag with the portrait of soccer legend Diego Armando Maradonain front of the San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Maradona died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 in Buenos Aires. (Alessandro GarofaloLaPresse via AP)
Napoli sports director Cristiano Giuntoli said, “We’re all shocked and hurt.”
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People look at memorabilia outside the San Paolo stadium commemorating soccer legend Diego Maradona, in Naples, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Maradona died on Wednesday at the age of 60 of a heart attack in a house outside Buenos Aires where he recovered from a brain operation. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
People gather and light candles to honor soccer legend Diego Maradona, at the popular "Quartieri Spagnoli" neighborhood, in Naples, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Maradona died on Wednesday at the age of 60 of a heart attack in a house outside Buenos Aires where he recovered from a brain operation. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)