Dalma Maradona, the oldest daughter of Diego Maradona, reveals her feelings about Naples and the stadium bearing her father's name in an interview with the Italian press. Dalma has struggled for years with restrictions preventing her from entering the sports venue dedicated to the memory of the ‘Pibe de Oro’.

San Paolo's closed doors

Despite her strong emotional ties to Naples, Dalma faces obstacles that prevent her from fully benefiting from her father's legacy. In December 2021, when she was working on a documentary about Diego, Dalma was prevented from entering Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. By her own admission, the problem grew when club Napoli produced T-shirts with Diego Maradona's stylised face on them and the family asked to be paid for the use of the image rights, which were to be donated to charity.

I think it all started when Napoli made a jersey with a stylised face of my father. We congratulated them but asked for money for the use of the image rights. We were going to use it for charity and do it in Italy, in Naples. We would help a school or a children's hospital. Dad never backed down, but De Laurentiis said no explains Dalma. The club rejected the proposal and from that moment the problems began.

Despite the closed doors at Napoli's stadium, Dalma makes no secret of his attachment to the team. I'm a Napoli fan, even if they don't let me into the stadium. I always want the Azzurri to win she says with evident sentiment.

© Davide Mancini (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Was it a simple misunderstanding?

Although Dalma expressed her displeasure at not being allowed into the stadium, Napoli were quick to respond to her words. As reported in the Italian press, the club authorities responded with an open invitation to Dalma and her sister Giannina, assuring them of the best seats if they expressed a desire to visit the stadium.

Napoli expects to see ladies Dalma and Giannina Maradona and all Maradona's heirs at the stadium whenever they have the pleasure of attending a team match. Dalma and Giannina, his daughters, are welcome and if they wanted to come to the stadium, we would reserve the best seats for them said a club spokesman, suggesting that it could just be a matter of misunderstanding.

© Gaetano Capaldo

Love for Napoli and hope for Scudetto

Dalma recalls living in Naples for the first years of her life. I lived here until 1991. I was four years old. I don't remember many things, Dalma recounts in an interview. Every time she visits Naples, Dalma goes to the Quartieri Spagnoli, where there is a famous mural commemorating her father. I like the Quartieri Spagnoli and the vitality that is breathed there. And then I have to go and say hello to my dad. It's a set appointment, she says, underlining her bond with the city where her father became a football icon and fan hero.

Despite disagreements, Dalma never stops supporting the team with which her father achieved great success. Her dream is for Napoli to win the Scudetto again, which would be a tribute to Diego and his legacy. Father would certainly be happy to see a victorious Napoli she confesses.

Dalma also stresses how important it is for her to get to the truth about her father's death. The most important thing is that there is justice for him she says, making no secret of the fact that the issues surrounding Diego Maradona's legacy have a personal dimension for her.

© Mister No (CC BY 3.0)