De Laurentiis: "Napoli has never been this strong."

From the stage in Piazza del Plebiscito, the Napoli president proposes a public petition to support the earthquake victims, announcing a personal donation of €100. The city then transforms into a vast open-air theater for the club's centennial, with thousands of fans, past champions, and a spectacle that unites history, passion, and identity.

Our first thoughts are with the earthquake victims.

SSC Napoli's centenary celebrations begin with a spirit of solidarity. Before discussing the club's history and the successes it has achieved in recent years, President Aurelio De Laurentiis turns his thoughts to those affected by the powerful earthquake that struck the Campi Flegrei.

From the stage in Piazza del Plebiscito, in front of thousands of fans, the Azzurri patron proposed a fundraiser for the families affected by the earthquake.

"I'm telling Roberto Fico, the regional president, that I'd like a fundraiser to be opened where everyone who can could donate something to help those affected by the earthquake. I'll put up the first €100."

A concrete gesture accompanied by a message of support for those citizens experiencing difficult times.

It's our duty to extend our thoughts and solidarity to those affected by yesterday's earthquake. Last night and at dawn, the earth shook again, but Naples has coexisted with Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields for millennia, and after every hardship, it has always risen again. It's an innate strength, a pride that belongs to its people, its culture, and its soul.

A city united by the blue passion

Napoli's centennial celebrations began shortly before 7:30 p.m. with the ringing of 100 church bells and the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony under the large blue arch in Piazza Carità bearing the words "SSC Napoli 1926-2026. 100 years of passion."

From there, the long blue procession began, crossing the city center to Piazza del Plebiscito, amidst crowds, stadium chants, flags, and traditional Neapolitan songs.

Aurelio De Laurentiis himself led the procession, greeted by the enthusiasm of the fans and flanked, along the first stretch of the route, by Diego Armando Maradona Jr. and Jana Maradona.

Piazza del Plebiscito sold out for the big show

Approximately 20 spectators received free tickets to the final event in Piazza del Plebiscito, which was transformed for the occasion into a large stage illuminated in blue.

Among the evening's guests were numerous figures from the club's history: Giuseppe Bruscolotti, Antonio Careca, Marek Hamsik, Roberto Carlos Sosa, Cristian Maggio, Francesco Montervino, Fabiano Santacroce, Stefan Schwoch, Claudio Vinazzani, Luigi Caffarelli, and Cané.

Among those most applauded was Corrado Ferlaino, the president who brought Diego Armando Maradona to Naples, welcomed by the affection of a crowd that remembered the Pibe de Oro through a moving video featuring images of his most famous goals.

A party that attracts fans from all over the world

Thousands of people flocked to Naples to take part in the event. Francesca, 22, returned from Milan to celebrate the centenary. "We couldn't miss it. One hundred years is an extraordinary milestone, and these celebrations make us feel even more united."

Mario, 13, recounts the excitement of his first big Italian party. "It's so crowded, but it's beautiful. It's the Neapolitans who make this party special."

Luigi, 70, returned from Lyon. "I've lived in France for decades, but Napoli always makes me feel at home. I had to be there for the centenary, and I brought my children and grandchildren with me."

De Laurentiis: "Napoli has never been this strong."

In his speech, the Azzurri president recalled the club's journey over the last twenty years, from its rebirth to its national success.

"Our city deserved a celebration worthy of its history, one that would show the world how intertwined football here in Naples is with the social fabric, culture, and lives of all of us."

Then the pride for the club's present.

After more than a century, our beloved Naples is still here, stronger than ever. We can say without fear of contradiction that it has never been so appreciated and, at the same time, feared in Italy and internationally.

The evening will conclude with a synchronized fireworks display along the route from Piazza del Plebiscito to Castel dell'Ovo, capping a day destined to go down in the history of the city and Italian football.