On November 30th, on the occasion of Diego ArmandoMaradona's birthday, the Napoli Legends - the association that brings together the protagonists of the history of the Neapolitan club - published an emotional letter dedicated to the Pibe de Oro on social media. The text, entitled "Dear Diego", recalls not only the goals and victories, but above all the human and sporting relationship that still binds the club's players to Maradona today.
In the message, the Legends underline how the memory of the great Argentine is kept alive through commemorative events: the reunion in Frosinone, the return to SanPaolo - now called Stadio Maradona - and participation in initiatives for the children of Nisida and Santobono. The group says they founded Napoli Legends to give back some of the love Napoli received thanks to Maradona, and that subsequent champions, including Dalma and Dieguito, are "a living piece of him".
The text expresses the desire to still be able to hug Maradona and feel his presence among the laughter, jokes and looks that "said it all". Former teammates remember how, during training, his technique was almost divine and how he taught football to the world without any formal lessons. There is no shortage of testimonies about his team spirit: "he never scolded a teammate if he made a mistake, he took our fears and made us believe we could win everything". The message concludes with an invitation to remember that, although Maradona is no longer among us, his spirit remains in the heart of Naples and its former players.
On May 26th, the Napoli Legends returned to SanPaolo, which today bears the name of Maradona. The stadium, full of fans, revived the chants of the 80s and projected the face of the legendary player on the giant screen. On the pitch, the players dedicated the match to the boys from Nisida and the children from Santobono, raising their eyes to the sky and hearing, for a moment, Maradona's voice encouraging them: "Come on guys, let's go!". The final message from the Legends is a happy birthday wish to Maradona, wherever he is, and a thank you for the eternity he left to the club and its fans.