Jim HOLDEN: AT THE HEART OF THE GAME

Written in the stars: Napoli's stunning Scudetto

Giant murals of Diego Maradona adorn the streets of Naples, a symbol of the intense passion the city feels for its team and its eternal hero. The shadow of Maradona follows everywhere you care to go, a shadow which also hung over the two most thrilling stories of the 2022-23 football season.

First, Argentina won their first World Cup since the genius of Maradona in 1986, then Napoli captured the Serie A title after 33 long years of waiting – their first without Maradona in the side. Maybe it was all written in the stars.

Certainly, there has been magic in the Neapolitan air for many months, an endless mood of joy as Napoli coasted to glory. It was obvious from ten matches out that they would become Italian champions; flags hung from windows day and night, colours were flaunted with pride and cars wildly decorated. Napoli were so good they simply could not fail.