Victor Osimhen has opened up about the extraordinary influence Diego Maradona still holds in Naples, saying the Argentine legend remains beyond comparison in the eyes of Napoli supporters, regardless of what any player achieves.
The Nigerian striker, who helped Napoli end a 33-year wait for the Serie A title in the 2022/23 season, said Maradona’s status in the southern Italian city is so revered that criticizing him is almost unthinkable.
“In Naples, nobody dares to say anything bad about Diego Maradona, unless they don’t want to live to see tomorrow,” Osimhen said.
The forward explained that Maradona’s bond with Napoli extends far beyond football, describing it as a relationship built on history, identity and emotion.
“Even if you win five Champions Leagues and five league titles, you are wasting your time. You still can’t replace Maradona in the hearts of Napoli fans,” he added.
Maradona is widely regarded as the greatest player in Napoli’s history after transforming the club during the 1980s.
He guided the Italian side to its first-ever Serie A title in 1987, followed by another league triumph in 1990, while also leading the club to the 1989 UEFA Cup, the most successful period in Napoli’s history.
His impact on the city remains visible decades after his departure. Napoli’s home ground was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona following his death in November 2020, while murals, shrines and tributes dedicated to the World Cup-winning icon can be found across Naples.
Osimhen himself etched his name into Napoli folklore by spearheading the club’s historic 2022/23 Scudetto-winning campaign, scoring 26 league goals to become the first African player to win the Serie A Golden Boot.
Despite playing a pivotal role in ending the club’s three-decade title drought, the Nigerian believes no achievement can eclipse Maradona’s place in the hearts of Napoli fans.
His remarks underline the unique legacy of the Argentine legend, whose influence continues to define the club’s identity more than three decades after his final appearance in Napoli colours.
