Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 53: Naples, a City Associated with Maradona!

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Naples, a City Associated with Maradona!

Naples, also translated as Napoli.

As the largest city in southern Italy, the 120 square kilometers of Naples has a population of over a million.

Residents settled here as early as 2600 years ago.

(Naples, the largest city in southern Italy)

A rich history, vibrant culture, wonderful art, colorful cuisine, and of course, football!

These elements form the cultural foundation of Naples, scattered throughout the city streets.

Talking about football here, one must mention a cultural icon—Maradona!

The Hand of God, dribbling past five players, winning the World Cup...

As a football king alongside Brazil’s Pele, the Argentine king has carved a unique mark in history.

But for the citizens of Naples.

The most thrilling thing is obviously Maradona leading them to victory!

years ago, Maradona transferred from Barcelona to Serie A’s Naples, setting a transfer record of 7.5 million dollars.

Just three years later, he led the team to its first Serie A championship in history.

Maradona’s arrival brought a great transformation to the team, turning Naples from an inconspicuous squad into the Serie A champion.

By 1989, Naples conquered the entire European football scene, winning its first Union Cup championship!

A year later, the southern team defended its Serie A title again.

Undoubtedly, in the heart of every person in Naples, Maradona is the god of this city!

For Inter Milan, visiting Naples to play the Coppa Italia did not bring much pressure to win.

Thus, players were allowed to go out of the hotel for activities.

This is Tang Long’s first trip to Naples.

Curious about the city, he dragged Berni along for a stroll through the streets.

Posters and slogans related to Maradona were plastered all over the streets and alleys of Naples like traffic signs.

In front of a somewhat old pizza place, there was a photo of the shopkeeper and Maradona posted on the glass window.

Their enthusiastic embrace, both faces blooming with smiles!

Below it, there was a striking line of text.

[30 years ago, God used to come here and eat pizza every day]

Tang Long looked at the poster with interest and said to Berni beside him:

"Maradona has brought countless honors to Naples. He is the god of this city, but Maradona is still an Argentinean, not an Italian. It’s quite remarkable that a foreigner could earn such profound respect in the relatively conservative southern Italy!"

Berni tugged at the brim of his black hat and smiled at Tang Long.

"You’ve forgotten the historical connection I told you about. If we trace the roots, Maradona is also the seed left by us Italians, he’s Italian too!"

Tang Long looked at Berni, puzzled.

Everyone knows Maradona’s nationality is Argentine.

Why does Berni say Maradona is Italian?

Berni wore large sunglasses, shielding half of his face.

He tucked both hands into his jean pockets, enjoying the warm Mediterranean sun.

"Besides Maradona, our old captain Zanetti is also Italian, along with Icardi and Palacio in the team, they’re all.

Back over a hundred years before World War I, many people from the Apennine Peninsula went to Argentina to seek a living.

No exaggeration, now over sixty percent of the 40 million population in Argentina are descendants of Italians, they’re all sons of Italy!"

Tang Long nodded, recalling the central axis line when Inter won the treble in 2010.

Forward Milito, midfielder Cambiasso, defenders Zanetti and Samuel.

This was the core backbone when Inter dominated Europe that year!

It seems that back then Inter’s owner Moratti had a great fondness for Argentine players, partly due to the historical ties between the two nations.

The sunshine in Naples was brilliant today.

But the temperature was below 20 degrees, making the basking quite pleasant.

Berni strolled the streets, gradually lost in memories.

"Tang, don’t mind me always scolding these crude southern Italians, but I actually do have feelings for the city of Naples, because when I was young my parents were busy, and I lived with my aunt in Naples for two years. I even attended two years of elementary school here. I wonder where all my elementary school friends are now..."

Tang Long observed the scenery of Naples streets.

"Uncle Berni, Naples still can’t compare to Milan. I feel the city construction here is quite old, many places haven’t been renovated."

As they walked, Berni suddenly paused—

He quickly ran ahead, then excitedly beckoned Tang Long over.

"Hahaha, come quickly! Look what I found!"

Berni pointed to a square meter pit full of mud and trash in the road, delighted as if he’d found a new continent.

"Let me tell you a story, Tang!

Over 20 years ago, one afternoon my aunt picked me up from elementary school. On the way, I wanted to play a trick on her, hid and jumped into this pit, leaving my anxious aunt searching everywhere, she even nearly called the police!

I never guessed that after all these years, this pit would still be here. I can’t understand, why hasn’t anyone fixed it?"

Berni paused, continued laughing:

"I feel nothing here has changed, the bumpy roads, shattered glass blue windows on each side, these rusty brown streetlights—they’re all the likeness of my childhood memories."

Berni’s recollection about the puddle surprised Tang Long greatly!

Before coming to Italy, he learned from textbooks that Italy was a developed capitalist country.

He subconsciously perceived Italian cities should be very advanced and modern.

But the dilapidated streets of Naples made Tang Long think reality differs from this perception.

It even felt inferior to the appearance of a third-tier small county in China.

Old streets, looking into the distance, residential apartments for citizens, walls blemished, shapes old-fashioned.

Obviously, this is a result of lacking proper municipal maintenance.

Some narrow alleyways are even piled with coke bottles and garbage bags, making it hard to tread.

Occasionally, a few big rats crawled over, not minding human presence, basking in the sun.

The two continued on the road.

They saw a gray residential building, plain and unremarkable. It appeared to be built in the seventies or eighties of the last century.

(A residential area in Naples)

The residents’ clothes were sparsely hanging on the railings outside the balcony, looking untidy.

Without underground parking garages, small cars squeezed together like matchboxes.

For the car in the front to move out is not easy, one has to shuffle each car one by one.

However, the scene of Maradona wearing a blue, Naples football kit running vividly on the field suddenly brightened the view!

Weathered walls instantly gained a touch of vibrancy!

"This is Maradona! He runs on the field, and he runs in the ordinary lives of every person in Naples." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

At this point, Berni silently took off his sunglasses.

Smiling and waving towards Maradona’s mural.

Berni’s sentimentality provoked some contemplation in Tang Long.

In the lives of everyday folks, what does football mean to them?

Many are busy for survival, having no time to play football.

Supporting their families with one salary, they’re not willing to spend tens of Euros to watch a match.

But their heart’s love for football, respect for Maradona, is etched in every Napolitan’s heart.

For many people, the football bond may not be the same.

But in the pursuit and love for the field, there’s always a moment where joys and sorrows coincide!

A long steamboat horn sounded from the docks.

Bringing a salty sea breeze scent.

Tang Long gazed at the somewhat weathered painting of Maradona on the wall, filled with emotion:

"Are the citizens of Naples passionate about Maradona, about football, or do they love their city, cherish those once-burning years of passion in their life?"