It's that time of the year again. The time for the world to ring in Christmas and New Year festivities. People around the globe will be busy planning to set up cribs and figurines for nativity scenes.
San Gregorio Armeno in Naples, Italy, is one place that would have been buzzing with Christmas shoppers now, but for the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, this year, there will be an added attraction. Among the figurines of baby Jesus, Mother Mary, Joseph and others, there will be the legendary Argentine number 10 Diego Maradona.
The 60-year-old passed away on November 25 because of cardiac arrest, but will be immortalised in the form of figurines in the artisan shops in San Gregorio Armeno, which reopened recently after lockdown.
The statue of Maradona with wings was created by artist Genny Di Virgilio. It was unveiled by Maradona’s brother Hugo, who lives in Naples.
The city's love for the diminutive striker began in 1984 when he joined the football club Napoli, which in based in Naples, in 1984 from Barcelona. So, it was only fitting that the city came up with this unique tribute to one of the greatest footballers.