If Diego Maradona was alive and among us today then there could not have been a person happier than him. After 3 long decades, the city of Naples have something to cheer about and feel free as Napoli became Italian champions for the first time since the 1989-90 season.
The Naples based outfit could have become champions last week but a 1-1 draw against Salernitana kept them away from glory. However, only one point was required to clinch Serie A 2022/23 and Napoli achieved it with another 1-1 draw against Udinese last night.
Luciano Spalleti’s side worked extremely hard this season and played outstanding football to retain their position at the summit of Italian top-flight.
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Highlights of Napoli’s title clinching season
Their closest competition in the Italian top-flight were Lazio and Juventus but both of them are miles off Napoli’s way who have become champions with 5 more games to play and it is a joint record in Serie A history.
In 33 games, the Gli Azzuri’s are the highest scoring team in Serie A with 69 goals, 22 of them scored by Nigerian Victor Oshimen (golden boot leader) and 10 of them were assisted by Georgian sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Napoli took 3 years to win their 2nd Serie A trophy since their 1st in 1986/87 but it took them 33-years to climb the ladder and reign Italy. Only AS Roma have had a longer drought winning another Italian top-flight. They waited for 40 years to win a 2nd Serie A (1941–42 to 1982–83).
This year Napoli have been more successful away from home than playing at Diego Maradona Stadium. They have 11 wins at home and 14 wins during away outings.
A perfect Tribute to the legendary Diego Maradona
Now getting back to why Maradona would have been the happiest alive. Last year during the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Qatar, Lionel Messi led Argentina to their 3rd World cup title and first since 1986 when Diego Maradona himself led La Albiceleste to World cup glory at Mexico.
2 of the clubs Maradona played for (Napoli and Barcelona) are champions of their country. Xavi’s Barca are only a few wins away from officially clinching La Liga and it is certain that they will be.
But most of the late Argentine’s connection lies with Napoli where he played for 7 years and blessed Naples with massive success. It was only under his captaincy that they became Serie A champions and it took them 3 decades to win another.
“It goes even beyond religion. What we are doing here is like a ritual. We are praying for Diego Maradona, as if he were a saint. It’s crazy and I love it.” – a Napoli fan spoke.
