By David Awopetu
Napoli have renamed their San Paolo stadium after late club legend, Diego Amando Maradona.
Maradona, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, forged a strong bond with the Italian club and its supporters during his seven-year spell between 1984 and 1991.
The forward, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, joined Napoli from Barcelona and won their only two Serie A titles – in 1987 and 1990 – along with the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup.
Naples city Mayor, Luigi De Magistris, and Napoli president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, confirmed on Thursday that the San Paolo will be renamed in Maradona’s honour, combining his full iconic name with the ground’s current title.
Fans gathered at the stadium to pay tribute to him after his death on 25 November and Napoli honoured him before their Europa League match against HNK Rijeka, each player wearing a shirt with ‘Maradona 10’ on the back.
“The resolution was signed by the entire city council,” said the council in a statement.
It added that Maradona was “the greatest footballer of all time” who “with his immense talent and magic honoured the Napoli team shirt for seven years” and “receiving in exchange from the whole city an eternal and unconditional love”.
Maradona made 188 appearances for Napoli, more than he made for any other club in his career, and scored 81 goals.
He represented Argentina in four World Cups and was captain when they won the 1986 title in Mexico.
