Fans of Napoli celebrate with flares outside the stadium after their side winning the Serie A title at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Italy, May 4, 2023. /CFP
Did you see that, Diego Maradona?
Since the Argentinian legend, who died in 2020, led Napoli to their first and second Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, respectively, this storied Italian powerhouse has been unable to recapture the ultimate glory.
Chaotic management, financial turmoil, bankruptcy and even relegation saw them fall from grace during the intervening years. However, that all changed on Thursday night.
Needing only a draw at Udinese to end 33 years of waiting for the Scudetto, top scorer Victor Osimhen's 52nd-minute equalizer canceled out Sandi Lovric's shock lead, sparking wild celebrations throughout Naples and beyond.
Napoli's Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring a goal during their clash with Udinese at Dacia Arena in Udine, Italy, May 4, 2023. /CFP
"I dedicate this to the players, who deserved this moment of happiness. Then to all the fans. Naples, this is for you!" beamed coach Luciano Spalletti, who was almost overcome with emotion as he becomes the oldest manager to win Serie A.
"There are people here who will be able to get through difficult moments in their lives because they remember this moment," he added. "These people deserve all the joy... They have seen great coaches and great players, they're supporters who watched Maradona play, and probably some kind of protection from him has led to this result."
The euphoria was echoed by Osimhen, whose 22nd goal in 28 league appearances effectively sealed the title for Naples. "It is an amazing feeling, we have waited so many years for this moment," said the Nigeria striker.
Napoli fans wave a huge flag featuring Diego Maradona during their team's clash with Udinese at Dacia Arena in Udine, Italy, May 4, 2023. /CFP
"To be able to deliver the Scudetto to the Neapolitans is something that we will never forget in a hurry and will continue to live in our hearts for the rest of our lives.
"I'm overwhelmed right now, I don't know the words to use to really quantify this feeling... Nobody has deserved this Scudetto more than the Neapolitans.
"We were underdogs at the start of the season, not so many people believed in us. This team stuck together... we believed from the start of the season that we had a great squad that we could deliver the Scudetto. Now we have realized this dream."
Napoli fans celebrate following the final whistle of the Serie A match at Dacia Arena in Udine, Italy, May 4, 2023. /CFP
Giovanni Di Lorenzo noted joining Maradona in the history books by being crowned Italian champions was no mean feat.
"To be compared to him, to be the captain after Maradona to lift the Scudetto, I just have no words," said the Napoli captain. "This isn't my title, it belongs to every player and the people who worked to make our dream come true."
According to stats provider Opta, it's the first time a club south of Italy's traditional football capitals of Milan and Turin has won the league since Roma claimed the title in 2001.
Napoli fans reacts after their side winning the Serie A title at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Italy, May 4, 2023. /CFP
Napoli also matched the record of sealing the Scudetto with five rounds to spare, shared with Torino (1947-48), Fiorentina (1955-56), Inter Milan (2006-07) and Juventus (2018-19).
Aurelio De Laurentiis, who took over the club in 2004 when Napoli was declared bankrupt, pointed out that his career has gone full circle. "This is the coronation of a dream that's been going on for 33 years," he observed.
"It's been a long process."