Legendary Napoli staff member Tommy Starace says Diego Armando Maradona would be ‘celebrating and getting drunk with us’ after Napoli’s first Scudetto in 33 years.
The Partenopei put their hands on a long-awaited title after a 1-1 draw against Udinese at the Dacia Arena on Thursday night.
Starace has been on the Napoli staff for decades, going back to the Diego Maradona days, and was also made famous by Dries Mertens copying his ‘tongue out’ dancing style as a goal celebration. He has therefore witnessed all three Napoli titles working at the club.
“It’s an incredible achievement, all the Scudetto were great, it’s an immense joy for all of us. There is joy, we love everyone in Naples,” he told DAZN on Wednesday.
Former Napoli defender Ciro Ferrara knows Starace really well and has a lot of memories shared with the legendary staff member.
“I remember him working with the chef, he would bring us some pizza,” recalled the ex-centre-back. “Are players still eating pizza?”
“No, no, now there is a perfect diet they have to follow,” replied Starace.
“To me, they are like my kids, they are my champions. I love them so much,” he continued.
Asked about Diego Armando Maradona and his bond with the club and the city, Starace replied: “We miss Diego every day. If he was here, he’d be celebrating and getting drunk with us! The last time I saw him, I was in Rome with Ciro. It was an immense joy.”
Starace and the rest of the Napoli squad are still in Udine after Thursday’s 1-1 draw and are expected to return to Naples on Friday.