04:35Maradona museum! Argentine icon's friend meticolusly maintains memorabilia collection in Naples
An impressive Maradona memorabilia collection was seen being lovingly conserved by one of the football icon's friends in a Naples basement on Monday.
Collection owner Massimo Vignati first crossed paths with the football legend as a child, due to his mother being Maradona's housekeeper and his father working as a caretaker at Naples' San Paolo Stadium. Maradona and Vignati's family enjoyed a tight bond, with Vignati calling him the "our 12th brother."
"I have lost a brother, my mother has lost a child. Diego is everything for me, and he never dies because he lives inside us," Vignati explained.
An astounding array of jerseys worn by the superstar over the course of his career (including the one he wore when Napoli won the UEFA cup in 1989), as well as a hefty supply of balls, shoes, banners, and portraits were among the items seen inside the makeshift 'museum.'
"The private Maradona was stronger than the Maradona on the pitch. A generous person, a person who has done good things to many people," Vignati recounted.
Maradona played for Napoli between 1984 and 1991, leading them to their only Serie A titles in 1986-87 and 1989-90 as well as winning the Europa league in 1988-89.
The legendary Argentine footballer died on November 25 after suffering a heart attack while recovering from brain surgery.
04:35An impressive Maradona memorabilia collection was seen being lovingly conserved by one of the football icon's friends in a Naples basement on Monday.
Collection owner Massimo Vignati first crossed paths with the football legend as a child, due to his mother being Maradona's housekeeper and his father working as a caretaker at Naples' San Paolo Stadium. Maradona and Vignati's family enjoyed a tight bond, with Vignati calling him the "our 12th brother."
"I have lost a brother, my mother has lost a child. Diego is everything for me, and he never dies because he lives inside us," Vignati explained.
An astounding array of jerseys worn by the superstar over the course of his career (including the one he wore when Napoli won the UEFA cup in 1989), as well as a hefty supply of balls, shoes, banners, and portraits were among the items seen inside the makeshift 'museum.'
"The private Maradona was stronger than the Maradona on the pitch. A generous person, a person who has done good things to many people," Vignati recounted.
Maradona played for Napoli between 1984 and 1991, leading them to their only Serie A titles in 1986-87 and 1989-90 as well as winning the Europa league in 1988-89.
The legendary Argentine footballer died on November 25 after suffering a heart attack while recovering from brain surgery.