You see it on scarves, T-shirts and refrigerator magnets. His image can be found on ten-story murals and stickers indiscriminately placed on lampposts throughout the vast city.
The death has not tarnished Diego Armando Maradona’s profile in Naples. As the locals keep telling you, God is everywhere.
Almost four years after his death, the Argentinian’s status in that manic part of the world seems to have only increased.
Those who witnessed how he turned Napoli from perennial underdog to two-time Italian champions and UEFA Cup winners have passed the story down for a generation.
The joy the little man brought to an oppressed but deeply passionate city for seven years was unquantifiable and eternal.
Those who walk through the doors of the dust bowl of a stadium he used to call home feel his presence and influence every day.
The late Maradona remains an icon at Napoli, 33 years after he left the club
Scottish star McTominay is loving life at the Italian club where Maradona was a god
Murals depicting Maradona can be found throughout the vibrant city of Naples
“He is clearly the most iconic footballer to ever walk and play the game,” said Scott McTominay, who joined the club from Manchester United this summer for £30million.
‘When I first walked into the stadium it was a surreal feeling to know that he is an icon, an absolute football legend.
‘He is heavy in our hearts in Naples. The people absolutely love him, which is a big factor because of how well he played for them and the things he did in Naples.
‘For us, he is certainly in our heads and hearts.’
In the 33 years since Maradona left the club, countless players have lived up to great expectations.
Many top talents find the demands of putting on the iconic jersey too high. Those for whom following the side is like a religion have a habit of making hasty judgments.
McTominay’s first reviews from one of the world’s toughest audiences were of the five-star variety.
He scored three times in ten games, the last of which came in the weekend match against Inter Milan at San Siro.
McTominay will speak to the media on Friday evening ahead of the match between Scotland and Croatia
Midfielder McTominay, centre, is joined by Scotland teammates McKenna and Hanley
McTominay’s fellow Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour, above, joined him at Napoli
Antonio Conte’s side are at the top of Serie A, one point ahead of Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter and Lazio.
For the residents of the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, that’s the way they like it.
“It was obviously a big decision,” McToominay said of leaving Old Trafford. ‘That cannot be denied.
‘At such moments in your life you just have to say: ‘I want to do it’?’ Absolute. And go for it. There is no looking back. I have never had any regrets in my life, nor in my career, and I will continue to do so.
‘I want my career to be successful and I’m going to do my very best to push myself to become the best footballer and the best person I can be.’
It may seem a long way from the north of England at times, but his satisfaction off the pitch has seen him make a striking impression on the country.
“I have great people around me who help me so much,” he explained. ‘And the stress in my life is very minimal, because I have a very good family, great friends and a lovely girlfriend who all do so much for me. I am very grateful to them.
‘Of course it’s not easy going abroad and having to settle there, but to be honest it’s been quite seamless in terms of the extent to which the Italian people have helped me settle into my home and what whatsoever.
McTominay says he felt Maradona’s presence in the city and in the stadium
Maradona will never be forgotten at Napoli for the way he inspired the team
‘Things I need, like a car or a taxi or something like that. So yes, I am very grateful to them. They are really great people for whom I am also very grateful.’
McTominay will readily admit that being aware of the demands of the game was easier than understanding the language.
‘Italian is difficult. It’s not easy, I’m doing my best,” he smiled. ‘Of course it takes some time. But I do my best to learn and be respectful of their culture, and it clearly seems like I’m doing my best to learn.”
Billy Gilmour, who joined the club after leaving Brighton, was also warmly welcomed. Despite not having scored yet, he is at least at the top of the linguistic charts.
When asked who had a better command of the language, McTominay admitted: “I’d say Billy. It’s similar, to be honest. We both pick up things in terms of understanding different phrases and things like that.”
McTominay has played for United since the age of five and made his debut against Arsenal at the end of the 2016-17 season.
He won both national cups over the next seven years, but it often seemed that, especially towards the end, he could benefit from a change of scenery. He still refutes suggestions that he has been re-energized since the move.
“I would never want anyone to say I have bad body language or that I need new energy,” he offered.
‘Of course it is trust that is important. I’m playing in Italy and that’s a great opportunity for me to try to impress my manager there and play as much as I can to help us succeed in every match we play.
‘I always give my best, wherever I play. And for me… dedication, professionalism, I tried to control myself.
“The things I have done throughout my career have always given me the best platform to play the best I can.
“And that’s all I really focus on, honestly. I don’t think about external things. Football is my only motivation, my life, and I just want to play the best I can every time I’m on the field.’
So far, United’s loss has largely been Napoli’s gain. Indeed, there is a large section of his former club’s supporters who would want him back at a moment’s notice.
Does he take that as a compliment?
“I don’t read newspapers or social media,” he emphasized. ‘That’s something I stay far away from. There is no reason for me to pay attention to that. I want to do the best I can for them (the Napoli fans).
‘The past is the past. I enjoy my football and want to do everything I can to get my team higher in the rankings and also do my best for my manager in Italy.’
Scotland’s supporters are only happy that he is one of them, as long as his legs can carry him.
With seven goals, he was the star in the European Championship qualifying campaign and he was the only one of the team in the actual competition to score against the Swiss.
His own sterling contribution could not disguise the crushing disappointment felt at the inability on Steve Clarke’s side to show up properly.
Scotland are better than they showed in Germany, a team whose collective talent is not worth a run of just one win in their last 16 games.
“I feel like we’re constantly learning,” McTominay said. ‘It was great to take part in two major tournaments and everyone was happy with that.
‘But the real players in the dressing room said, ‘No, we want to move on, we want to push the group out and we want to keep progressing as a team.’
“We really want to raise everyone’s profile where we feel like we’re capable of beating your pot-one teams.
‘I feel like we have more than enough quality in our squad to do that. We want to be the most successful Scottish team in history.”
A formidable talent with boundless ambition? El Diego would certainly approve.