Naples, 60.000 fans gather in Piazza del Plebiscito for the centenary celebrations.

Naples – An emotional and well-attended celebration lit up Piazza del Plebiscito, transformed into the beating heart of Neapolitan pride for Napoli's centenary. With approximately 60.000 fans in attendance, the evening marked a celebration of a century of Azzurri history, but also an opportunity to look forward to the challenges ahead.

At 7:26 PM, a symbolic hour commemorating the club's founding year, President Aurelio De Laurentiis, flanked by Vice President Edoardo De Laurentiis and Diego Armando Maradona Jr. and Jana Maradona, began the "Processione Azzurra" (Blue Procession) from Piazza Carità to Piazza del Plebiscito. On stage, De Laurentiis emphasized the club's social commitment, announcing a fundraiser for the earthquake victims in Campi Flegrei and a personal donation of €100,000.

The president then reviewed Napoli's journey from Serie C to their recent triumphs, emphasizing how the club is now stronger and more respected in Italy and Europe. "We've shown that we can win again without Maradona, winning two Scudetti in three seasons," he stated. "Now all we need is the Champions League; who knows, Allegri might just give it to us." The tribute to Diego Armando Maradona was one of the most powerful moments: images of his exploits and the strains of "La Mano de Dios" captivated the entire crowd, while Diego Jr. and Jana moved the crowd with emotional words.

The stage was filled with key figures in Italy's history, including Giuseppe Bruscolotti, Ruud Krol, Careca, and Marek Hamsik, who shared anecdotes and hopes for the future. There were also some truly engaging moments, including the welcome to new defender Sam Beukema, the compliments to Scott McTominay, and the introduction of Kevin De Bruyne, whom Hamsik called "one of the best midfielders of the century." The Belgian's greeting in Neapolitan dialect won over the crowd: "Uagliù, tutt'appost?"

Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo emphasized the pride of representing the city in such a special year, while Bruscolotti emphasized the importance of "sweating for the jersey." The evening concluded with a presentation by the coaches: Edy Reja recounted the club's resurgence, while Massimiliano Allegri, welcomed with enthusiasm, promised commitment and professionalism to win new trophies.

With music, video messages from Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte, and a final fireworks display, Napoli celebrated a century of history while looking to the future and the dream of the Champions League, as underlined by De Laurentiis's final message: "The greatest victory is the next one."