Naples and Diego Maradona share a bond that transcends football – a connection forever immortalised in the city’s streets, hearts, and, in the work of one of its most passionate chroniclers, photographer Ciro Pipoli. A devoted Napoli fan and a son of the Quartieri Spagnoli, Pipoli is famed for using his camera to capture the soul of his city, its people, and their enduring love for its adopted hero, Maradona. His debut photographic book Ciro, includes a striking visual homage to the Argentinian legend, showcasing murals, tattoos, and other vivid tributes that fill the Neapolitan landscape.

Through Pipoli’s lens, we see Maradona not just as a football icon but as a symbol of the city’s resilience, pride, and identity. Each photograph tells a story: the devotion etched in fans’ tattoos, the colours of a mural glowing under Naples’ sun, or locals passing by below Diego’s watchful gaze. For Pipoli, who grew up hearing tales of Maradona’s glory from his father and sharing street games with other young football enthusiasts, this project is deeply personal – a love letter to his hometown.

This article celebrates two of Naples’ favourite sons: the Argentinian genius who made the city dream, and the talented photographer who captures its soul. As we explore Ciro Pipoli’s images, we honour not just Maradona’s legacy but also the enduring spirit of Naples, where art, football, and passion collide in a symphony of devotion.

I was born and raised in Naples, specifically in the Quartieri Spagnoli, which has been my neighbourhood for 28 years. It’s the place where I live and it has shaped the person I am today.

I should start by saying that my love for football is a feeling I’ve had since I was a child. Initially, while I was trying to figure out which team was mine, there was a period when I was a fan of Arsenal because I was in love with the player wearing the number four, Fabregas. However, as I grew older, I found true love in the sky-blue jersey of Napoli.

My father was an ardent Napoli fan and had the good fortune to experience the Maradona era. I was raised on his stories, memories, and anecdotes, and for me, it was almost inevitable to fall in love with the sky-blue jersey that proudly represents our city, carrying its name high.

The club means so much to me because, in my view, football in Italy is a sociopolitical representation of our country. It reflects the cultural and political divide that, in many ways, separates the North and South of Italy with an imaginary line. Supporting Napoli, for me, is like supporting my city. In a sense, my team represents a form of sociopolitical redemption, a way to stand up for the South and take pride in where we come from.

Growing up admiring Cesc Fabregas, but over time, as I developed a bond with the sky-blue jersey, I looked with pride and admiration at the players who gave everything for Napoli throughout their careers. Today, I have beautiful memories of players like Cavani and Lavezzi, but my true idols are those like Marek Hamšík, who was my first love as a Napoli player, and inevitably, Dries Mertens, who, in my opinion, perfectly embodies the idea that being Neapolitan knows no geographical boundaries.

I believe that being born in Italy, especially in a city like Naples, almost inevitably leads you to form a bond with football. Here, it’s a sport you literally live from childhood, having the chance to share the streets with other kids and often improvising matches in the city squares. I was fortunate enough to be one of those children who, growing up, played football in the streets with other kids who, like me, found a genuine love for the game.

I became interested in photography driven by curiosity about an artistic language that doesn’t require words. Photography, for me, has become a way to tell the everyday story of my city, Naples, capturing moments, emotions, and scenes that might otherwise go unnoticed. It’s a medium through which I can express what I see and feel, telling silent yet powerful stories. Each shot is a testimony of the life around me, a visual narrative that transcends language barriers and communicates in a direct and universal way.

My first photography book represents much more than just a creative project to me. It is a personal journey, a way to tell a story I carry within and to share it with the world through images. Each photograph holds a moment, an emotion, a thought, and together they form a mosaic that reflects my vision, my experiences, and my roots. This book is the result of passion, dedication, and a deep desire to communicate what words alone cannot express. For me, it is both a significant achievement and a starting point for new inspirations and stories.

Photographing the culture and lifestyle of football is fascinating because, for 90 minutes, nothing matters except your own team. In those moments, a unique and intense bond is created between the fans, where every emotion, from hope to frustration, is experienced collectively. It’s incredible how, in a stadium or even in front of a screen, so many people can share the same passion and feeling, regardless of individual differences. Photography captures this energy and unity, freezing the moment of an emotion that becomes universal, yet always tied to a local and personal reality.

In the future, I hope to travel the world and tell the stories of different cultures through my photographic vision. Just recently, I returned from Argentina, where I worked on my first project away from Naples. The goal was to document the history of Neapolitan immigration, and I hope to continue this project in other countries such as Brazil, the United States, Australia, and Germany, where Neapolitan immigration has been very significant. I also hope to publish the first book of this project, focusing on Argentina, as soon as possible.

Ciro, the photographic book by Ciro Pipoli is avaliable to buy directly at www.ciroillibro.com, with worldwide shipping.

‘Ciro’ includes five chapters, 159 photos, through which those who love Naples can relive its magical and fabulous atmospheres and those who do not know it can discover its charm.

Stay up to date with Ciro and his work by following him on Instagram, where he shares his ongoing projects, events, exhibitions, as well as information regarding editorial or commercial commissions and licensing.

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