On Thursday, July 5, 1984, there were no matches played, yet the San Paolo was full in every seat. It is a historic date. For Napoli football club, but also for Serie A in general. Because the strongest player in the world lands, just like a Hollywood star. Diego Armando Maradona wears the blue jersey, after a blitz by Ferlaino in Barcelona on the last day of the transfer market, June 30. The streets are practically all blocked because the Pibe de Oro arrives, bought by Barça for the astonishing sum of 13 billion lire after about a month of fierce negotiations. And there he is, with curls in the wind and the idea of changing the history of the city.
The San Paolo stadium is full, even with curious onlookers, who have come to see Maradona. But first a formal matter, that is, the interview in the press conference. Then the steps, as described in a very famous video. Maradona enters and the stadium becomes a boiling basin. “Good evening, Neapolitans. I am very happy to be with you” are the first words of the champion, before taking the ball, dribbling it and kicking it very high, with his left foot, in a bell-shaped way. The first business card.
It’s 6.30pm and Diego Armando Maradona is presented to the city. The affection and warmth of Naples enters him right away, given the roar at the exit of the steps. It happened 40 years ago, with the city becoming, in fact, a festive place. As for the Scudetti, after all. Almost everywhere there is the effigy of Maradona, even on the socks. Two songs are recorded for the Pibe, the hymn to Maradona and the tango of Maradona. There are the real ones for six thousand lire and the fake ones for four.