It’s time to celebrate “il Napoli” for the fourth Scudetto
In 2025, New Year’s came twice in Naples. The first time, as tradition dictates, at the stroke of midnight on December 31st. The second time was at 10:48 PM on May 23rd, when referee Federico La Penna blew the final whistle of the last matchday of the season, with Napoli playing at home, in the stadium named after Diego Armando Maradona, against Cagliari. That match decided the fate of the “Scudetto,” as Napoli had reached the final game with just one, but decisive, point ahead of Inter. At the final whistle, with a 2–0 scoreline, the city of Naples exploded in celebration like never before—not even on New Year’s Eve.
Thousands of people had actually already taken to the streets since the morning, letting out their anxiety over the match. As the day went on, more and more people filled subways, funiculars, and buses to reach the city center, already savoring the celebrations for the fourth Scudetto. Camera in hand, I too wandered around, retracing the usual routes, particularly the well-trodden ones above central Via Toledo, in that area known as the Spanish Quarters. Countless bars, venues, and even private homes had set up screens and chairs to follow the match live and, in the event of a goal, to celebrate together. Ready, at the final whistle, to unleash unbridled joy.
One must understand that in Naples, the passion for football is unlike anywhere else in Italy. Without diving into philosophical or cultural reflections beyond the scope of this post, supporting one’s team—and one’s city—is deeply tied to Neapolitan identity. It often serves as a form of revenge against the powerful forces of the North. No one is allowed to speak ill of Naples to a Neapolitan. Only a Neapolitan can do so—because even when criticizing it, the love for the city is a given. Always. And the same goes for “il Napoli.”
It’s also worth noting that, although this fourth Scudetto came just two years after the previous one, it’s equally true that between the third—won by Spalletti in 2023—and the second—won almost singlehandedly by a legend like Maradona in 1990—33 years had passed. Thirty-three years of hope, dreams, healthy envy, and plenty of teasing toward the teams from the North, which dominated the trophy hauls. Two years ago, the title celebration was partly spoiled by the fact that the mathematical certainty of the win came during an away match, far from Naples. This time, however, the conditions couldn’t have been better, as Napoli played their final, decisive match at home, backed by thousands and thousands of fans who had come from all over the South.
As for myself, I got lost in the crowd from late afternoon onward, snapping photos when needed. What stays with me—and still rings in my head and nose—are, in order: the sound of air horns, a sort of “vuvuzela”, obsessively blown by virtually everyone, and the acrid, at times suffocating, smell of colored smoke flares.
The following photos tell the story of this incredible night between May 23rd and 24th, 2025.
