Maradona Archives - The Cult of Calcio

Serie A Heroes: Diego Armando Maradona, The Divine Comedy

March 17, 2026 Krisztián Horváth Hall of the Heroes, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A

One city. One name. One faith. In the early 1980s, Napoli was considered a mid-table team. They had never won a league title before and often fought against relegation. But in 1984, the savior arrived. His name was Diego Armando Maradona and, after his landing in Naples, things would never be the same for the Partenopei.

Between the 1970s and the 1980s, the Roma and Napoli fan bases were linked by an official twinning. How did that come to an end?

Roma vs Napoli Throwback: The Breaking of the Twinning

November 29, 2025 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

It sounds almost incredible to believe nowadays but, between the 1970s and 1980s, the Roma and Napoli ultra groups were linked by an official gemellaggio, a “twinning” so strong that it was re-cemented every time the two sides met via a solemn pre-game flag-exchange ritual. Until something happened.

Towards the end of the 1980s and, particularly, in the 1989/90 season, Napoli vs. Juventus was pretty much a mismatch in Serie A

Today in Serie A – March 25, 1990: Maradona’s Brace Destroyed Juventus

March 25, 2025 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, On This Day, Sampdoria, Serie A

Towards the end of the 1980s, Napoli vs. Juventus was pretty much a mismatch in Serie A. On one hand, the Partenopei were enjoying the best years in their history, dazzled by Diego Maradona's magic. On the other hand, the Bianconeri were struggling to reshape their identity following Michel Platini's departure.

In the 1980s Serie A landscape dominated by giants like Juventus, Milan, and Inter, Napoli's 1986-87 season stood out as a watershed moment.

Serie A Epic Seasons: 1986/87, Napoli and Maradona’s Tale of Triumph

March 1, 2024 Nargiz Mammadzada Napoli, Serie A, Tactical Trends

In the 1980s Serie A landscape dominated by giants like Juventus, Milan, and Inter, Napoli's 1986-87 season stood out as a watershed moment. Then, in 1984, something unexpected happened. A little club from the south, Napoli, made a bold move, signing a player who would change everything: Diego Armando Maradona.

A last-minute call by coach Azeglio Vicini, Salvatore Schillaci became the King of the World Cup 1990, scoring 6 goals and leading Italy to the 3rd place

World Cup One-Hit Wonders: Schillaci, Crownless King of Italia 90

November 21, 2022 Antonio Guarini Argentina, Germany, Italy, Meanwhile In Moscow, Serie A, The Azzurri, The Grass Is Greener, World Cup, World Cup 2022

As World Cup 1990 approached, Italy's coach Azeglio Vicini could lineup strikers such as Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Baggio. Still, he decided to add to his squad a little known Sicilian forward from Juventus. His name was Salvatore Schillaci, and he became the underdog King of the Notti Magiche ("Magic Nights") of Italia '90, scoring 6 goals and leading the Azzurri to the 3rd place.

Sergio Goycochea was not even supposed to play in World Cup 1990 but he ended up leading the Argentina all the way to the Final, shattering Italy's dreams

World Cup One-Hit Wonders: Goycochea, the “Notti Magiche” Killer

November 18, 2022 Antonio Guarini Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Meanwhile In Moscow, Serie A, The Azzurri, The Grass Is Greener, World Cup, World Cup 2022

Sergio Goycochea was not even supposed to play in World Cup 1990, as the starting goalkeeper of Argentina was undoubtedly Nery Pumpido. But when Pumpido suffered an injury, the first choice became this unknown goalie who ended up leading the Albiceleste all the way to the Final, shattering Italy's Notti Magiche dreams in the process.

October 20, 1985, marked an ideal passing of the Scudetto baton as Napoli received Verona at the San Paolo Stadium and disposed of them by a 5-0 score

Napoli vs Verona Throwback: The Marvelous Maradona Lob

August 11, 2022 Matteo Carnevale Hellas Verona, Napoli, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

October 20, 1985, marked an ideal passing of the Scudetto baton as Napoli received Verona at the San Paolo Stadium and disposed of them by a sensational 5-0 score. Five different players made it to the scoresheet as Maradona grabbed the lion’s share with two assists and a goal that is still remembered as one of the finest ever seen in Serie A.

Napoli vs Fiorentina Throwback: Baggio’s Goal in Maradona-Style

April 9, 2022 Matteo Carnevale Fiorentina, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

Oh, those good old days when one could see Roberto Baggio and Diego Maradona facing each other in the Serie A. When the two used to meet, the game could never be an ordinary one: It was September 17, 1989, indeed, when a young Baggio took the luxury of scoring a sensational goal which clearly resembled Maradona’s Gol del Siglo at the World Cup 1986.

Even though they went head-to-head for the Scudetto on one occasion only, seeing Inter and Napoli face each other in the 1980s always meant a good show

Inter vs Napoli Throwback: When Maradona Bewitched San Siro

November 20, 2021 Matteo Carnevale Inter Milan, Napoli, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

Inter vs Napoli used to be a true Serie A classic in the second half of the 1980s. Although the two sides went head-to-head to conquer the Scudetto on one occasion only – the 1988-89 season – seeing the Nerazzurri and the Partenopei face each other in those days always meant a pretty good show.

Throwback Thursday: 5-1 to Juventus, Maradona’s Last Napoli Miracle

February 11, 2021 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Super Cup, Throwback Thursday

The Supercoppa Italiana between the winners of the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia is not necessarily the most beloved and cherished trophy for Italian football fans and clubs nowadays. But when the competition was still young and fresh, it gave life to some epic calcio battles, like a 5-1 win over Juventus that can be arguably considered Diego Maradona’s last miracle at Napoli.

Napoli – Roma Player Ratings: A Tribute to Maradona

November 29, 2020 Michel Sakr Italian Football, Napoli, Player Ratings, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021 One comment

At the San Paolo Stadium in Naples - which is soon to become the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium - Napoli welcomed Roma in the infamous Derby del sole. Gennaro Gattuso's men were able to honor their late hero with a sublime display, thrashing the visitors 4-0. So here are our player ratings for the exciting encounter between Napoli and Roma.

Tag: Maradona