Diego Maradona (2019) - full transcript

Has your life changed, Maradona, since
your debut in the first division?

Well yes, my life has changed

because now there are
interviews, its' all a bit different.

Honestly, when I saw
him run onto the pitch

my husband and I started crying.

What do you think about those who
say you are Pel?'s successor?

Now, I simply want to be Maradona.

I don't want to be the
successor, nor the second Pel?.

I simply want to be Maradona.

I'm more interested
in glory than money.

I will continue playing for Boca



because I know that Boca needs me.

Good luck, and I see you are
very well wrapped-up. Is this new?

No, the thing is

I needed something
cosy so I brought this.

I think the national team
is everything for a player.

There is nothing more important.

Maradona really is a great player.

He has quality, he has everything

but he isn't
psychologically prepared yet

to take on so much responsibility.

The contract of Diego Armando
Maradona with FC Barcelona

is without doubt the most expensive
in the history of world football.

The damage to Maradona's
ankle is significant:

a fracture and some torn ligaments.



My desire to play football again

makes me happy and makes me feel good

and think about my comeback.

Are you surprised by the
statements by your team's President

about the nightlife of
Diego Armando Maradona?

I don't care about that.

No matter what they say I'll
go out as much as I like.

Barcelona Football
Club wants to state

that it has no intention to
transfer Diego Armando Maradona.

The President of Napoli, Corrado
Ferlaino, is in Barcelona today.

His intention is to bring Diego Armando
Maradona to play in Italy next season.

Here is what Naples looked like after
it was revealed that Diego Maradona

is going to play in the
local team next season.

Naples is in the midst
of a financial crisis

with huge debts.

The poorest city in Italy, and
maybe one of the poorest in Europe

therefore buys the most
expensive player in the world.

What do you expect from
the city of Naples?

Well, I expect peace

the peace I didn't have in Barcelona.

But above all, respect.

When you're on the pitch

life goes away.

Problems go away.

Everything goes away.

Gentlemen, settle down please.
Settle down.

I'm warning you; if you come any closer,
I'll cancel the press conference.

Diego! Diego!

First question?

I would like to know if Maradona
knows what the Camorra is?

And if he knows that the
Camorra's money is everywhere here

even in football?

A second please: this question will
be answered by the Napoli President

Mr Corrado Ferlaino.

This question is highly offensive.

I am truly mortified that a
journalist would ask such questions.

It's so insulting
that I won't answer it.

Get out!

I'm asking you to leave!

Get out!

Right now! Immediately!

As Napoli's President,
I expel you from this room.

Naples shouldn't be hurt
by this kind of ignorance.

We made enormous
sacrifices for this signing

and we don't want questions

we are offended by
ignorant statements

that anything that happens here
has to do with the Camorra!

Naples works and it
has a good work ethic.

Criminals are a minority and
there's a serious police force

ready to intervene in these matters.
Thank you.

Good evening, Neapolitans!

I went to Naples, knowing that Barcelona
had been a bad experience for me.

A disaster.

I played two seasons with them

and I couldn't finish either one
because of illness and my ankle injury.

And I was left with no money.

I didn't know Naples

I didn't know Italy

but there wasn't another team

that would buy me.

I asked for a house
and I got a flat.

I asked for a Ferrari
and got a Fiat.

Everything was downgraded.

Hello, Maradona.
Thank you for being here, very kind.

What I want to know is:

are you willing to be
insulted by your opponents

to keep your Neapolitan
friends happy?

Yes, well, Bertoni can translate!

It doesn't surprise me, what's said
about Maradona in the newspapers.

Sometimes it's true,
sometimes it's false.

I also think it's fine
for them to insult me

otherwise it would all be too
easy, it would just be compliments

and life is not like that.

Did you understand?

Yes, we understood.

Maradona!
Still Maradona versus Briegel

Maradona and Briegel.

Still Maradona, a long run

But Briegel!
Look how good he is.

No! Maradona steals it back!
Briegel appeals for a foul.

And Maradona, with a cross

but no Napoli player acts on it.

How do you feel
about your debut?

No problem.

No problem?

But next Sunday you
get your revenge?

Yes, every Sunday is a rematch.

I think that Napoli
has some potential.

We haven't had the last word yet

but we need to improve a lot

a lot, because I don't think
that we can compete like this.

Italian football was played
at a different rhythm

and the football was rougher.

Had to adapt and learn to
play at a different speed.

I sped up my timing
in order to get into play.

If I went one way

abandoning my technique,
so that I could run faster

I would've been useless.

And if I went top-speed,
with my technique

surely my technique
wouldn't have work.

I had to find a balance
which wasn't easy.

Maradona sprints forward

he takes the ball on his chest

Maradona is applauded
by the whole stadium!

No, Maradona didn't do it.
God did it.

Because today we played terribly

and I think that,
with five minutes to go

God did it.

Diego's football was a football
that no one else could play.

He's not tall and he's not
a particularly good jumper.

He's a player who's never had a
physical advantage his entire life.

But it's clear that, for Diego, no
muscle mattered more than the brain

which allowed him to do everything
better than everyone else.

Football

is the game of deceit.

You feint going over there

then go in the opposite direction

and your opponent
goes the other way.

The Championship is over:
Napoli finishes in 8th position.

What does Diego feel inside?

It's an incredible feeling,
incredible inside

on the inside I felt that
the people of Naples love me

and this I like.

The year before we had
nearly been relegated.

Then Diego arrived

and the Neapolitans
ans gave him all they had

because he came here to win.

There is enough space for all of us
to have a photo, but one at a time!

For Diego: hip hip! Hooray!!!

That's when I realised that

the Neapolitans didn't
live for themselves

nor for their children,
nor for anything else.

All they cared about was how
Napoli would play each Sunday.

Per minute your pulse is
going down from 200 to 140.

At the beginning it was almost
two minutes for you to recover.

Fernando Signorini.

A complete master, a genius.

Fernando not only
taught me how to train

but also how to train my mind.

Anything we don't get through today,
we can do tomorrow morning, ok?

We'd work out every day.

We would spend morning
afternoon and evening together.

I learned that there was Diego

and there was Maradona.

Diego was a kid who
had insecurities

a wonderful boy.

Maradona was the character
he had to come up with

in order to face the demands of the
football business and the media.

Maradona couldn't show any weakness.

One day I told him

that with Diego I would
go to the end of the world

but with Maradona I
wouldn't take a step.

And he said, "Yes, but
if it wasn't for Maradona"

I'd still be in Villa Fiorito."

Villa Fiorito was a slum

in the poorest part of
the capital city.

There were no paved roads.

Many people there didn't have
drinking water or sewers.

Diego was born in a
very difficult place.

I was the fifth, after four girls.

My dad had had enough of girls.

There were seven of us:

five of us kids and Mum and Dad

in the same shack.

I would see my dad get up
at four in the morning

he was a manual worker.

He would arrive home dead and
fall asleep in front of me!

So, my dad was terrific

but I was always my mum's favourite.

So, I was a mama's boy.

For me a football was
the most beautiful toy.

I didn't like what the other
little kids played.

This was my salvation.

At the age of eleven I started
playing football for a club

which was part of
Argentinos Juniors FC

and from then on I was off.

Here's an excited neighbourhood

just a few blocks
away from Argentinos Junior's pitch

where this football
player made his name.

Argentinos Juniors rented
an apartment for me

ten minutes away
from the stadium.

That was the big
change for the family.

It was in the capital city

it was all brand new.

All of us moved in

eight of us.

Our parents were humble people.

It was very emotional and beautiful.

So, since he was 15, Diego
supported the family.

A very heavy load
for just one person.

The truth is, I played football

always thinking about buying
a house for my parents

and never going back to Fiorito.

I think you are better off in Napoli
than in Barcelona. What do you think?

Yes, I'm glad I left for Naples,
because now I am very happy

and I'm fighting every day
to make Napoli greater.

When I got to Naples I saw that the
mentality was about avoiding relegation.

This year will be different.

Even the dogs run too, the
Neapolitans are coming.

Sick with cholera. Victims of the
earthquake. You never washed with soap.

Napoli shit! Napoli cholera!

You are the shame of
the whole of Italy.

Neapolitan, work hard

because for Maradona you'll
have to sell your ass too!

The Neapolitans were the
"Africans" of Italy

"The Unwashed", "The Peasants?".

We went up north
and wherever we went

they put up banners that
said: "Wash Yourselves".

It was disgusting.

"HELLO CHOLERA SUFFERERS"

"NAPLES, SEWER OF ITALY"

Wash them, wash them

wash them with fire!

Oh Vesuvio, wash them with fire!

They were all racists.

I felt as though I
represented a part of Italy

which counted for nothing.

Fury, anger, and
fighting against adversity

these are fuel for Maradona.

Fuel that he always used.

Napoli sent its crowd
into such ecstasy

so much so that, unfortunately,
among the spectators

five people fainted

and two had heart attacks.

So, quite literally,
Maradona, by scoring this goal

made a big mess.

Maradona, you are used to scoring, but
when you scored this goal against Juventus

after which you ran to the Neapolitan
fans, what were you thinking?

What colour is this goal?

The colour of today's goal is
blue, blue for the people of Naples

because no-one who
doesn't live in Naples

can imagine all the stuff people
were saying about us during the week.

For this reason

this goal and this victory have
been deserved by the people.

That's how Naples is.

Yes, but I don't want
anybody at my house.

Next time we'll have
to call the police

otherwise forget it.

After the great victory
against Juventus

almost every Neapolitan had a
photo of Diego in their homes.

Many had it on top of
their bed, next to Jesus.

Carmine Giuliano,
according to some people

you threatened some immigrants
from the Dominican Republic

to encourage them
to leave Forcella.

Is that true?

I don't think it's our
job to make them go away.

It's the government
who automatically

will take its own measures
about this situation.

We don't kick out
anyone, because

we already have our own problems

we've already been through
our own misfortunes.

The Giulianos from Forcella

are prominent figures from the most
important clans in the Nuova Famiglia

the Camorra group that opposes
Raffaele Cutolo's large mob.

No one has ever managed to file
accurate charges against them.

They put me on a scooter

we drive off to Forcella.

We arrive

the table had been set for dinner

one guy had a gun beside him.

It all looked like something out
of The Untouchables, Al Capone!

So we're there eating

and Carmine said to me

"Any problem you have
is also my problem"

and he said they would
protect us in Naples.

For me it was all new.

It was like being in a movie.

Oh yeah! Fantastic!

-It was out!
- Amazing!

What style.

You won't return it.

Yes, brilliant!

No, it was totally out!

It was on the line.

Try this one.

Diego told me the Camorra

wanted to show us their
gratitude, that's all.

I felt safe and reassured that
nobody could do anything to us

it was like we were protected.

He had a personality where he
always wanted to prove his worth

and always demanded respect.

But, once he got home, he was a
different person, he was Diego.

I've won Wimbledon!

It was out!

What are you talking about!
It wasn't out

When I started dating Claudia

Claudia was 15

and I was 16.

My mum was very, very
jealous in regards to me

and I had to hide Claudia a little.

But I had already made
a commitment to her.

He was a lovely person.

Very affectionate.

Very intelligent.

And a very good dancer

to any kind of music.

Girls would claim to
have had flings with him

and he would come to me and say

"Plogse don't believe
that, it's all lies"

and he would deny
anything had happened.

I have a very docile personality

and I accepted that.

I always bet on our love.

Diego, here is Heather.

Nice to meet you.

I wanted to meet you.

On television?

And personally too.

I was in love with Claudia

but, I was no saint

and there were some
very beautiful women.

Gorgeous women.

Oh, so many!

I met Diego maybe one year
after his arrival in Naples.

I was a friend of Maria

his sister who lived
near him, in Naples.

I was 21, he was 25.

He was funny and affectionate.

I'd spend a lot of
time in his home.

So, it wasn't a surprise

to find myself pregnant, because
we both knew what we were doing.

She was a very nice woman

but, I couldn't understand how

a chance relationship
could produce a child.

I couldn't get it into my head.

In his second season

the football map in Italy
started to turn upside down.

Napoli ended third in the league

and Diego was their highest
goalscorer that season.

But, I wanted to put into
his head that the real goal

was the World Cup

which would be played
at high altitude

with climate conditions that
would be tailor made for him.

The Argentinian team only just
qualified for the World Cup.

In Argentina there was a complete
lack of faith in the team.

When he scored his goal against
Italy, the World Champions

a lot of people,
including journalists

suddenly changed their opinions.

Could this be Diego
Maradona's World Cup?

I hope so, I really want it,
with all my strength

because if this is
Maradona's World Cup

this will be Argentina's World Cup

and we both want that.

Diego travelled to Mexico certain
about Cristiana Sinagra's pregnancy

and this was something
that really affected him.

But, luckily, he had his Dad

who always made sure Diego
kept his feet on the ground.

One can see here the hard labour of
the men during the training camp

with a shovel in their hands.

The audience wants your opinion.

How's the work going?

It's sweltering.

It really is hot, isn't it?
We are realy sweating here.

Is it true that

the person in charge of sharing out,
always keeps the biggest bit for himself?

Sounds about right!

Let's see, a chorizo for someone.

A chorizo? Let's see, I'll
hold it up for you this way.

Grab it from the tip.
There you go.

Take it to the table,
and I'll follow.

You take it, Diego.

It's fine, Coco.
Stop busting my balls.

Caress it!

I know you like to
stroke it sometimes.

We, as Agentinians

didn't know what the
military was up to.

They told us that we
were winning the war.

But, in reality, England
was winning 20-0.

It was tough.

The hype made it seem like we were
going to play out another war.

I knew it was my hand.

It wasn't my plan.

But the action happened so fast

that the linesman didn't
see me putting my hand in.

The referee looked at me

and he said, "Goal".

It was a nice feeling

like some sort of symbolic
revenge against the English.

Hoddle gives away the ball

Cuciuffo gives it to Enrique

Enrique hooks it to Diego.

Maradona has the ball, two are
marking him, he touches the ball

the genius of world football
dashes to the right

and leaves the third. He's going to
pass to Burruchaga. It's still Maradona!

Genius! Genius!
Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta!

GOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!

Gooooooooooal!

Sorry, I want to cry!

Dear God, long live football!

Gooooooooooal! Diegoal!

Maradona! it's enough to
make you cry, forgive me.

What an unforgettable run!

A cosmic kite! What planet
did you come from

so that the whole country is a
clenched fist shouting for Argentina?

Thank you God: for
football, for Maradona

for these tears.

Diego! Diego!

Amazing!

Kiss the shirt!

If someone wants to explain
the myth around Maradonda

it's enough to refer to
the match against England.

In those two goals

the first one with his hand

and the second one, dribbling
through all the opponents

are all the reasons
why he is loved

and also why he is hated.

A little bit of cheating

but also a lot of genius.

The best football
player in the world

was born in Argentina!

We're all together!
Together we are whole!

Argentina's gonna be the champion!

We dedicate this

to everyone and the whores

who gave birth to them!

Argentina's gonna be the champion!

We dedicate this

to everyone and the whores

who gave birth to them!

We'll keep this moment in mind.

The thing is, nobody
believed in us

and I think we gave a punch in
the face to all the defeatists

including Argentinians, who
wished the worst for this team

and well, now that we are here

we don't want to miss
this opportunity we have

to be known all over the world.

Here we go! Come on!

Let's go with
everything we've got!

Two hours! In two hours we're
going to be champions!

It's time to be champions.
Let's go and kill them!

We were lucky that they
were not scared of us

that they had a better
track record than us.

They went out onto the
pitch with more confidence

they thought we were
going to chicken out.

This never happened.

We went looking for them.

Come on!

The match was almost over

I was dead, knackered.

But the whole of the German
defence was knackered too.

And in the middle
of all that chaos

the No.10 is the player
that needs to show himself.

Maradona heads it out to Cuciuffo,
he heads it back to Maradona.

Maradona's between three

he releases Burruchaga

Burruchaga goes alone!
Valdano is there

Burruchaga

GOOAALLLLLL!!!!!!!

Burruchaga, after the
genius pass from Maradona!

Hola Mama.

Hola my love.

Tota, I love you Mama.

My life! My life.

I lov you lots, Mama.

I love you too.
Go rest my son.

Today you made me the
happiest mother on Earth.

Let's take a photo.

Please.

For me.

I just want one with the cup.

Let's go, let's go.
Take another one.

Don't worry Diego, I
will lend you a car.

No, no, no!

My girlfriend is coming with me.

Limousine, I want a limousine.

That's what I'm saying.

Limousine.

You can use one of my cars.

Limousine, a white one.

Yes, because I promised it to her

I promised to Claudia.

Film me here with my girl

otherwise she'll say I
didn't have her beside me.

And don't forget Valeria!

This Little Virgin Mary.

For Maradona

this was given to me by my chick.

Film me right next to her

after all, I've had a
month looking at her!

She was your motivation right?

And how! You know what

what a beast!

The press are pancakes!
And yet we are the champions!

Dance fans, keep dancing.

Dance with your hearts.

They are pancakes!
The press are pancakes!

But we are the champions!

Dance fans, keep dancing.

Dance with all your hearts.

They are pancakes!
The press are pancakes!

But we are the champions!

I never dreamed of anything
that's happening to me now.

I swear on my mum's life.

I've always dreamt of playing
on a first division pitch

in front of lots of people

and being able to buy a
house for my parents.

But these are things
you don't dream of.

It was as if Argentina was
celebrating its saviour:

a little black kid from a
very poor neighbourhood.

Who fights. Who stirs things up.

Who wins.

Dona Tota, how are your days

now that he's here, after
winning the World Cup?

I don't let him go out of bed.

He sleeps, I bring him the milk.

I look at him, I give him a kiss.

I go downstairs, I go
upstairs, and so on.

All day?

Is he behaving all right?

He behaves very well.

Does he obey you or not?

Yes, yes, yes.

Otherwise she hits me!

Let's talk about some gossip that
is a bit of a mystery as well.

Is Diego Maradona the father of
a baby born yesterday in Napoli?

The mother of the baby argues that
Maradona is the father of her son.

The player doesn't answer, his maid
states that Maradona is sleeping

and that he doesn't
want to be bothered.

Behind this light blue bow,
Room 509 of a Neapolitan clinic

Cristiana Sinagra, 22 years old,
a degree in accounting

has given birth, at 11:15, to a baby
who will be named Diego Armando Junior,

A very famous name in Naples.
Why this name?

Yes, because he is born out of a
relationship between me and Diego

the Napoli football player.

Diego Armando Maradona?

Napoli's football player?

So, when did you guys meet?

In December '85.

And how long did your
relationship last?

Until Apri '86.

Diego, do you want to say
something about the game?

I'm not talking to Rai TV anymore.

Some news today brought
you onto the front page.

What do you have
to say about this?

Talk to my lawyer.

I was home alone, while
Diego was at training.

I was two months pregnant.

I turn on the TV and
see a woman holding a baby

and she's saying it's Diego's.

He came home crying

and saying that it was a
lie, that it wasn't true.

I said, "I won't ask this again."

Tell me the truth, now"

and he said, "No. It's a lie".

"THIS BABY IS MARADONA'S SON"

He really didn't know what to do.

It came out everywhere:
newspapers, magazines.

I was Cristiana's friend

I knew everything, but I
wasn't allowed to say anything.

He said, "I'm with Claudia"

and he tried to erase
all this from his life.

Have you ever met this girl, Diego?

Look, I know a lot
of people in Naples

but having a son, that's a
different thing entirely.

Some people say,
"Don't be so dramatic".

I'm not being dramatic,
because I haven't hurt anybody

I don't wish anyone ill.

I want to play football, in peace.

I don't steal anyone's money.

That's why I don't understand everything
that's happened in the last 15 days.

Why, do you think, he hasn't
admitted it's his son?

He's not very mature.

He knows.

He knows that's his son.

He knows he's there.

I think he suffers for this.

This is the Napoli I wanted from
the moment I arrived here.

There was a change of mindset,
thanks to Diego.

It wasn't enough to beat
Juventus or beat Milan.

We had to beat them all.

It's very emotional! Every year
we sacrifice a lot for Napoli.

It's an emotion we feel inside.

We're too happy!

Super happy!

Napoli has never been
top of the league before

so we ve never felt
like this before.

She's so chubby!

Give her a kiss!

Hello my love!

She's so healthy!

She doesn't cry?

No, she's very nice.

Open your eyes to look at daddy!

The little rascal has arrived!

Only once?

Only once, my love?

President, we have to,
I'm not saying celebrate

but we have to tell it like it is.

Will Napoli be Italy's
champion or not?

The Championship is
long and difficult

there are six games left

so we still have
a lot to play for.

Diego, a League Title,
what would it mean for Naples?

You'll have to ask the city.

All I can say is that we

we go onto the pitch
to make people happy.

So here we are, dear sports
fans, at the San Paolo

a packed and wonderful San
Paolo, with thousands of flags.

A game that can deliver, truly

the Championship, the first one
in the history of this city.

Diego! You did a lap of honour.

How did it feel?

This is the greatest moment
in my life, honestly, because

I've won a few things, but

You're the World Champion!

No, the problem is that I didn't
win it in my country, you see?

They took away my chance to be a part of
Argentint's victory in '78, in my country

that's why this is the most
important celebration of my life.

What does Naples mean to you now?

It's my home. My home for sure.

For Napoli, to win the League Title
was like winning the World Cup.

Now the doubters had to believe

that I was the best.

I was alone there

above everyone else.

Oh mamma, mamma, mamma!

Do you know why

my heart is racing?

I've seen Maradona!

And mum!
I fell in love with him!

Oh mamma, mamma, mamma!

Do you know why

my heart is racing?

I've seen Maradona!

And I fell in love with him!

President, President

President, you are the
most excited of all!

Yes, it's been 18 years,
if you will allow me this!

OK, I do the interviews.

Look, Giordano

Giordano, how did it
feel winning this title?

An immense joy that I
dedicate to my mother.

Great!
Great! You're great! Like a fish!

Now to Nando, Nando!

What do you think about
the supporters, Nando?

Amazing really, they
deserved this Scudetto

because it has been something
amazing, stupendous!

Look Diego, now you
tell us something

since you've interviewed everyone.

When you came to Napoli did you really
believe you would win the title?

Yes, yes. I left Barcelona
without winning anything

basically nothing, because
we won one Copa Del Rey

but if I had, I had

They just wet the shit out of me!

I took the scooter with my wife,
and we celebrating in the city.

I drove past the cemetery

and I saw, written

"You don't know
what you missed".

The celebrations went
on for two months!

An immense joy.

Naples was totally blue.

The victory mark social
redemption of our city

and, thanks to Diego, this
continued in the following years.

Napoli conquers the Italian Cup
after the Championship.

Long live Forcella!
And Naples! With Maradona!

Diego! Maradona!
Give us an autograph!

It was impossible.

They had so much hope
and when Diego delivered

it was like,
"He saved us, he chose us!"

He became a God

or Saint Gennaro

the city's patron saint.

You can't say a bad
word about Maradona.

If you speak badly of Maradona,
you are criticising God

and you can't criticise God
because He is above everything.

We Neapolitans have inside us,
more than God perhaps, Maradona.

Are you happy about this?

No, I think there's
a huge difference.

Let's look at the
final table for Serie A

Napoli qualifies for the UEFA Cup.

Maradona has won the
top scorer chart.

You're everything!

Don't kiss me on my mouth!

I couldn't go out onto the street.

Every time I went out on the
street there would be a commotion.

I couldn't go to the theatre,
to the cinema, go shopping.

The affection was too clingy
and too uncomfortable.

After he underwent a blood test

the nurse took the
phial of Diego's blood

and placed it in the
urch of San Gennaro

like he was a demigod.

I disturbed him psychologically.

He still felt like Diego
from Villa Fiorito:

a shitty little black
kid from the slums.

So, Maradona took over.

Next time I catch you
snooping around my house

I'll give you a big head like this!

Diego, look, I do my
job, you do yours.

I'm doing my job.

Fine.
Don't say I didn't warn you!

Don't touch me!
Don't touch me because

don't touch me or I'll go like this
and we'll have to go under the table!

Enough!

We went to the Paradise.

We ate.
And later we moved to the hotel.

Diego was going in and
out of the bathroom.

I just thought it was because
he had drunk some champagne.

But then, I was told they
had done other things.

I told him, "Diego be careful".

Cocaine.

I tried it in Barcelona

in a nightclub.

One hit

and I felt like Superman.

In Naples drugs were everywhere.

And from there I
took more and more.

Diego could ask the
Giuliano clan for cocaine

and cocaine arrived.

But the problem is that,
once on the Camorra

you start to become their property.

They offered things to me.

The Camorra?

And I asked, "What
do I have to do?"

They'd mostly get me to
inaugurate a business.

I'm really happy
to be here tonight.

Two pictures for
next day's newspapers

and they'd give me a watch.

Diego watch out! He'll make
you sign a promissory note!

It was a golden age, because every time
I went they'd give me a gold Rolex.

I noticed he no longer was
Diego, the person we all knew.

More often

he was Maradona

a different person.

I felt he started to
look for a way to escape

from I don't know what

to get himself out of
something, or some place.

Juve, Juve, fuck off!

Juve, fuck off!

Well done!

Milan, fuck off!

We are gonna destroy them,
we are gonna destroy them.

You say it.

We are gonna destroy them,
we are gonna destroy them.

With Napoli I had achieved everything

I had nothing left to do.

I had made the people happy.

I was the poster boy of the south.

I wanted to end my career

somewhere calmer.

I love you very much!

We are the best in Europe,
we are on top of the world!

We are the best in the world!

If I can ask an indiscreet
question, girls

one moment, an indiscreet question

but you need to answer honestly,
first you and then you.

Which Napoli player would
you sleep with tonight?

Maradona!

And you?

Maradona!

Three of you then, you, her
and Maradona. What about you?

Bagni's wife.

Beautiful, isn't she?

What about Giuliani's wife?

Hmm, not really.

Ciro's a Neapolitan!
He deserves it more than everyone!

He scored a goal!

Let's go Ciro, let's go.

The embrace of the victory!
Good job guys!

At the end of the game

Maradona asked me to sell him.

He wanted to leave Napoli.

But I did not want
to sell Maradona.

I wanted him to stay
here at all costs.

So, I was Maradona's jailer.

I told Ferlaino that I'm giving him
the chance to get rid of Maradona.

Ferlaino knows what to do.

I never force anybody.

Maradona, last night, gave
one more explosive statement.

He said, "I no longer have the focus
and mind to play in the Italian league"

it is not a matter of money?

Mr Maradona is free
to do what he wants

and to say that he wants
a less stressful league.

If I were a Napoli player

I would not kick the
ball, but Maradona's ass!

And with much gusto.

Diego, how's your mood today?

Great. Great.

Do you have anything to add,
after what you said yesterday?

No, nothing. Nothing.

I'll continue training and when it
will please Ferlaino, I'll play. Ok?

Will you play on Sunday?

If Ferlaino wants me to, I will.

He's my boss, Ferlaino.

When it'll please him, I will play.

I was pissed-off.

Every Sunday we played a match

we went out to eat

Claudia would stay
in with the girls

and I went out to
drink with my friends

and that's when we took coke.

And that carried
on until Wednesday

and then

I started cleansing, cleansing,
cleansing to play on Sunday.

I would come home high on drugs

and when I saw my daughters

I would be afraid.

So, I would lock myself
in the bathroom.

I knew inside me that
I had a kid in Naples

but, at the time,
that didn't bother me.

I didn't care.

It was getting more obvious
through his behaviour

that cocaine had him in its grip.

I told him he needed to find
people who knew how to help him.

But "Maradona" couldn't allow
himself to show any weakness.

So, with Claudia, I approached
two or three drug rehab clinics

I also spoke to the
President Ferlaino.

Everybody knew what
Maradona was up to

and we fought against this a lot

because there were dope
tests after the games

and I did not want this
all over the newspapers.

But the dope testing
wasn't so strict.

Probably someone else
peed for Maradona.

It could be, I don't know.

But as long as Maradona
carried on playing

we won.

It's finding the right
spot that hurts!

Now we've found it.

I can really feel it now.

Can you feel it?

Oh yes!

Yes, but anyway much
less than last time.

Because this time we
used an angaesthetic.

He suffered from sciatic
and lower back pain.

He would get five injections
in different places

so he could play the next day

and Diego would bite
the pillow because

it was so painful.

It was brutally damaging

but the people that
ran the business

only cared about getting
the most out of him

and if he ended up in pieces

then fuck him.

That's enough pain for now.

Look at me.

I went to Diego's house

we had dinner.

Diego told me that his
relationship with Naples was broken

because the environment was suffocating
him and he really wanted to leave.

And then, at around
midnight, the doorbell rang.

Claudia came and whispered
to Diego, he jumped up

and he said I was going
to see the real Naples.

We get in a van, Diego is driving.

We see a red Lancia,
who was in it?

Carmine Giuliano.

He kisses Diego on both
cheeks and says, "Let's go".

It was a show of power:

Diego was the most
famous person in Naples

but he couldn't refuse the Camorra.

Carmine went ahead
and we followed

and we made our
way into the city.

It was midnight, silence.

Carmine stepped out of his car

and started to walk
in front of the van.

As soon as the van turned into the street
it was as if the whole place exploded.

I was sitting behind Diego

he wasn't comfortable.

Nobody touched the van, although
ere were tons of people around.

Carmine kissed Diego and
said, "Thanks Diego".

I think he knew the cocaine was
completely taking hold of him

and that was his weak point.

It was the way to control
Maradona, through his addiction.

Diego Armando Maradona, 16
goals in this Championship.

Napoli only needs one point to
proclaim themselves Champions of Italy.

Enough! Enough!

Maradona is on the ball

Maradona lobs it towards
the centre of the box

Baroni, and GOAL!!! Goal by Baroni!

It's the final whistle! The Title! The second
Championship Title in the history of Napoli.

After the first Championship, the
second one is here. What do you think?

It's a shame we didn't win the two
Championships inbetween. Anyway, next year

Mamma mia, really?

But President we have to let someone
else win, otherwise it gets boring.

So, what we are going
to win next year?

Let's see, let the see. I want the
European Cup, President.

Then, we need to seriously
think about that for next year.

But you still haven't told me
what you think about this Title.

Beautiful.

And the team?

The team has been very strong.
With a great captain, great fans

And a great President.

Thank You!

The joy was huge.

I was right not to sell him.

Maradona is a unique
example of enthusiasm

that has gradually turned
into disappointment

because everyone hoped he'd go to
Napoli to be a star, but not to win.

As soon as he started winning he
immediately became insufferable.

Then, they also accused
him of becoming rich

and throwing the kind of
parties rich people throw

with the same bad taste

but because he's originally
poor, he shouldn't be allowed to.

The sum of these things led to
the great dislike of Maradona.

In the World Cup I was
in the Italian squad.

Our football was superior to the
rest of Europe, and the world.

It was a strong team, committed and
with the will to claim the World Cup.

We were the favourites

especially because we
were playing at home

and the whole of Italy
wanted to see us win.

Four, five, six.

Ok, there you go.

Seven. Last round!

Oh my God!

I want to enter history.

Diego got to the World Cup

with insane determination.

His drug problem
was quite advanced

but his motivation was
enough to stop using drugs.

As a madman, no-one can beat me.

And this is Maradona's moment.

You can hear the booing which,
of course, welcomes Maradona

he is now condemned to this hostile
atmosphere which he keeps encountering.

We went all over Italy
and wherever we went

it was everyone
against Maradona.

Here's Maradonag, he
runs-up, he shoots

and it's blocked!

Mistake by Maradona.

Blocked!
Argentina goes to the semi-final!

Big mistake by the
Italian Federation:

Argentina and Italy n Naples!

That is a mistake.

They should have foreseen
that it could have happened.

Never put Argentina in Naples.
Never.

It's six years of my
life here in Naples

I believe people
know me well by now

and they'll support
my national team.

I can't ask the Neapolitans for anything
more than I've asked in these six years

but if they want to
see me happy, for sure

I would be pleased if
they supported Argentina.

Also because we need it

and I believe that when
Naples needed Maradona

I always came through for them.

I'd like to say something
to all the Italian fans:

we, in Naples, were given
everything by Diego Maradona

and I am the first one to buy
my ticket to support Argentina.

Forza Argentina!

"Naples is not Italy!"
Maradona has just declared

undisturbed by the
fury he has provoked.

Exploiting in the dispute between
Italians of the north and the south

the Argentinian star asked
his people, the Neapolitans

to support the
South American team.

Italy is playing, that's all. And
we need to be all united. That's it.

Right, so answer to my question: why did
they do the opening ceremony in Milan

when the group with
Argentina was in Naples?

Diego, unfortunately, is in our hearts,
in the hearts and souls of us Neapolitans

because we have lived our
lives on the stadium stands

and, unfortunately, he has to lose.

Argentina must lose.

Maradona is doing well, right?

See how the italians
are pressing him.

Burruchaga!

The first chance on
goal for Argentina.

Schillaci keeps going.

Pass from Schillaci to De Napoli.

Vialli to Giannnini.

Giannini heads it up

Schillaci follows up!

And it's an Italian goal.

Once again a pass to Maradona

brilliant turn to lose his marker!

Basualdo to Maradona

Olarticoechea

Olarticoechea to Caniggia

Goal by Caniggia!

The equaliser for Argentina
in the 67th minute.

It's extra time.

It's over. And it's penalties.

Franco Baresi is going to kick
the first penalty for Italy.

With all his experience,
Franco Baresi

there goes Baresi and goal!

The perfect definition of
a penalty: strong, violent.

The first penalty for Argentina.

Here's Serrizuela.

There he goes, Baggio!

Argh! al! But so close!

The executioner, Burruchaga.

A screaming hell in the stadium!

Donadoni, he's not a specialist,
I don't have him as such.

Donadoni.

Goycochea saved it!

It was an irreversible situation.

Deep inside his soul he
wanted to get to the final

but if he scores

it could permanently break
his bound with Italians.

Now it's Maradona.

Diego goes

goaaaallll!!!

Great Diego!
No hesitation, smoothly.

Now comes the final penalty
PV A PR NI RS VAR VS PP

Serena with the penalty.

He's saved it! Argentina are
in the final of the World Cup.

To lose on penalties was
a trauma for all of us.

That was a match we really
didn't want to lose in the San Paolo.

I'm still upset with Diego.

It was brutal for everyone

traumatic for everyone.

Is this Maradona's revenge?

I don't think so. Rather, it is
luck's revenge against Italy.

I don't think this Argentinian
team deserved to reach the final.

We could have never imagined that the
people of Naples - Yes, good evening!

That the people of Naples could have
stopped supporting the Italian team.

The statement you made

some have seen it as a deliberate
provocation, a Machiavelli move.

No, I

I never wanted to create a row

between the Italians
and people from Naples

because us foreigners,
we know very well

that the Neapolitans are
Italian through and through.

Listen, do you know
Masaniello's story?

No, no.

Masaniello was a
historic figure who

led the beggars of
Naples into a revolt

which ended horribly.

No, I don't want to end horribly.

At the time, a survey was carried
by La Repubblica newspaper

where people could choose all kinds of
famous people, politicians, dictators

and Maradona was chosen as the
most hated person in Italy.

Sons of a bitch!

You sons of bitches!

He gave the number to me
because he is in the bathroom.

Maybe Italo passed it onto him.

Well, Italo is our friend,
from the Chalet Park nightclub.

Yes, exactly.

Hello, Diego?

So, give me the address.

Yes, I, erm... I am at the Airone.

The Airone in Via Manzoni?

That's it. Felice will come look
for you. He's a friend of mine.

He'll come pick me up?

- Yes.
- What time is it now?

Erm, it is 3:30 a.m.

3.30? Is around 4 a.m. ok?

Yes, fine. Do you have two girls?

Yes, yes.

So, you're near...?

- The Airone - At the Airone?

In via Petrarca.

Fine. Bye dear!

Oh Diego, wait!
My son wants to say hi.

- Hi Diego!
- Hello.

- What happened in Turin?
- Not much, unfortunately.

- We've been unlucky!
- Oh yes.

- But we'll make it anyway!
- They're all sons of bitches!

- Will you leave Napoli or will you stay here?
- I don't know.

- Anyway. Ciao, ciao.
- Ciao.

- Diego, so in half an hour then?
- Yes. Ciao Carmelag, ciao.

Prostitution in Naples
is run by the Camorra.

The woman Diego used to phone

was a woman who was part of
Forcella's criminal system

meaning the Giuliano clan.

Hey, how goes it?

Last night, you never showed up

and that guy came by,
wanting some 'gear'

Maradoo.

He came here, he wanted
women and 'gear'.

Ok, understood.

When Carmela comes back,
we'll sort this out.

From telephone calls, intercepted
in the course of investigations

into the trafficking of drugs

it has emerged that there may have been
on the part of the Napoli footballer

Diego Armando Maradona

a request for drugs

and for women.

An investigation has started into
the Napoli football player, Maradona.

He faces charges for drug
possession and handling.

A voice on the phone links the Argentinian
to a dangerous clan of drug dealers.

Nine are already in jail,
sixteen are on the run.

It's a voice that can dig an abyss
in front of the ex World Champion.

What do you have to
say about all this?

No, just...
I've got lawyers, let's see.

The wiretappings lifted the veil
on what this city already knew

and gossiped about in the streets:

"Maradona is a drug addict"

"Maradona goes with whores?".

What Maradona would ask for.

Where Maradona used to do it.

Sad and squalid sexual
details of Maradona.

It was an unprecedented fall.

Those who hated Maradona
wanted to destroy him.

Because he offered some of
his cocaine to the prostitutes

he was charged it,"Possession of
Drugs for the Purpose of Trafficking"

which carried a sentence
of twenty years in jail.

The irony is that

the relationship between
Diego and the Giulianos

was causing problems
to the Camorra itself

which doesn't like
operating in the spotlight.

The Camorra started to
feel the investigators

and magistrates breathing
down their necks

and so, those same cammorristi
abandoned him and let him drown.

Diego presented
himself to the judges.

On his arrival at the Justice Palace,
in the company of his lawyer Siniscalchi

the crowd let loose.

It was a nasty trial.

The prosecutor was very severe.

I told Maradona

"We have to make a plea bargain".

According to this deal,
Mr. Diego Armando Maradona

accepted a suspended sentence of
one year and two months in jail

and a 5 million lira fine.

Which means?
For ordinary people?

For the crimes he's
been accused of.

So, for ordinary people,
what does this mean?

Is Diego Armando
Maradona quilty?

On Diego Armando Maradona's criminal
record this sentence will appear.

Maradona was losing his grip.

I found him in the bathroom, under some
blankets, and he would not come out.

Hi Diego, even today you
seem very calm to me.

Perfect. I've never been so calm.

Good then.

Has something changed, Diego?

No, nothing. Nothing at all.

Maybe you'd like to leave
Napoli a bit earlier?

No, no.
I'll finish the Championship.

Immediately after
the Napoli-Bari match

Diego Maradona was summoned
for an anti-doping test.

For Maradona it was the first time
since the rules made it mandatory.

The soap opera is getting
more like a thriller:

the anti-doping analysis supposedly
revealed traces of banned substances

which are connected with the troublesome
private life of the Argentinian.

The risk, for him, is a
six-month disqualification

and, above all, a sad decline.

No-one was surprised they found his
urine contained traces of cocaine.

The whole world knew
about Diego's addiction.

But the powers-that-be saw a great
opportunity to finish him off.

The sentence in the
Maradona doping case

is a disqualification
of more than a year

for the Argentinian ace,
until June 30th 1992.

My opinion of him is unaltered.

I have my own idea of
Maradona the public figure

of Maradona the man, from
when he arrived here in Italy.

I have known him a long time

so my idea of him will
absolutely not change

nd will no tarnish the
beautifu image I have of Diego.

The ban was unprecedented in Italy.

It was then adopted by FIFA

all over the world.

Again, no punishment that
harsh had ever happened before.

I was struck by the fact that no-one from
the club was at the anti-doping sentencing

not even Ferlaino was there.

When we realised the
doping was positive

Diego said, "We are
leaving now, let's go."

I did what I could,
I packed what I could

and we left.

It was tough.

When I arrived in Naples

I was welcomed by 85,000 people.

When I left

I was all alone.

I left quietly.

I didn't make any fuss.

Maradona was surprised in an
apartment with two friends.

When he was arrested

Maradona was under
the influence of drugs

and had 1.5g of cocaine on him.

I don't know what to do

and it hurts me a lot.

My arms are down, my
soul is shattered.

They took away his life.

Without football

there was nothing
else for him to do.

And all the effort we made

the ones who loved him
and wanted him to get well

wasn't enough.

So, he was just hurting himself.

Ready, ready. I can't see him,
I can't see him! Thanks!

Oh dear.

Oh, dear God!

You'll have to fix my mic,
this one just fell off.

I'll do it now.

Oh dear God.

Diego, you are
greater than the Pope!

That isn't saying much.

Oh dear.

Oh God.

Slowly, slowly.

All good?

My mic fell.

We'll sort it out.
Did they treat you well?

Well, well, they treated me well.

Guys the mic! Let's fix the
microphone and we start.

In the place you are in now, do you feel
the disease can be properly treated?

That it can be cured, that
everything needed is there?

Absolutely, Daniel.

Where I am now it's a pigsty.

But, I also have to
thank that pigsty

because, as my sister
reminded me yesterday

"Thanks to this pigsty
you're alive today, Pelu".

The people in there with you

who have some sort of addiction,
what kind of people are they, Diego?

No, it's a psychiatric hospital.

Where one can't have a conversation,
one has to follow the rules.

I understand you.

I see my daughter and I cry.

It really isn't so bad as
to get me this emotional.

I want... Well, that was that.

You have to keep fighting. You always
fought and this is just one more battle.

I'm losing by knock-out.

Your family, do
they understand this?

I perhaps understood too late

that they only wanted
to see me well and

and they couldn't do any more

any more than

any more than what
they're doing.

My brother

from the age of 15, he
stopped having a life.

He became someone else.

He always took care of everything.

It was a heavy weight
to be so famous.

But he always wanted to
solve his problems himself.

He never wanted to
involve his family.

He was always the hero.

But he couldn't do it alone.

Diego has had a
life both tremendous

and terrible.

Diego has nothing
to do with Maradona

but Maradona drags Diego
around wherever he goes.

Maradona in Naples is
the story of his life.

Perhaps the best football
player in history.

But the price was too high

because nothing
that happened after

ended well.

Maradona the footballer was finished

and all that survived
was the myth.

When you're on the pitch

life goes away.

Problems go away.

Everything goes away.

In 2016, after 30 years of
denial, Diego Maradona finally

acknowledged the truth about his
relationship with Cristiana Sinagra