Official: Napoli rename home ground Diego Armando Maradona Stadium after Argentine club legend

A resolution that will change the name of SSC Napoli's home ground from San Paolo to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona has been unanimously approved by the Naples City Council.

Argentina Football Icon Diego Armando Maradona. In the photo, the big screen shows an image in memory of Diego Maradona during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Fulham at The King Power Stadium, Leicester, England. Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Naples Mayor Luigi Di Magistris proposed the resolution just few hours after the news of the death of the Argentina football legend, who passed away at the age of 60 last week after suffering heart attack.

A respected figure that he is in the city of Naples, Maradona led Napoli to two Serie A titles during his seven-year run with the Italian football outfit from 1984 to 1991.

A statement from the Naples City Council read: "With his immense talent and his magic, he honoured the Napoli shirt for seven years, giving it two historical championships and other prestigious cups, and receiving in exchange from the whole city an eternal and unconditional love."

Maradona, who grew up in poverty in Buenos Aires his native, also shared a connection with the working-class city, the statement noted.

It read: "Through the football victories of the Argentine champion, it was not only the Napoli team that won but the whole city, which fully identifies with him.

"Always on the side of the weakest and the common people, Maradona fought the prejudices and discrimination that Neapolitans were still subjected to inside the stadiums, becoming the idol of the entire city."

In the change of the name of SSC Napoli's home ground, the last step which is expected to be a formality, will be the authorisation of the Prefect of the Province of Naples.

Official: Napoli's new home ground name is Stadio Diego Armando Maradona ⬇

🏟 | Welcome to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona! 😍

👉 https://t.co/tYVAHdsvdr

💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/mAEJD93Fxo

— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) December 4, 2020