Roma manager Jose Mourinho plays classy tribute to Diego Maradona by visiting mural

Roma boss Jose Mourinho paid his respects to Diego Maradona by visiting a mural dedicated to the Argentinian legend in Naples prior to his side’s clash with Napoli on Monday night.

Surrounded by fans of Maradona’s former club and flanked by police, Mourinho laid flowers at the famous site ahead of the crunch Serie ‘A match between Roma and Napoli.

Mourinho also admired the other tributes at the site and was cheered by a group of supporters who had gathered at the mural. 

Mourinho was greeted with cheers as he paid tribute to one of the greatest to ever play the game

Video footage of Mourinho’s visit was posted on social media by Roma’s official Twitter account.

The mural was created following the death of Maradona, widely considered as one of the greatest to ever play the game, and allows fans to pay their own tributes to ‘El Diego’. 

Maradona, who died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack in November 2020, remains a revered figure at Napoli, where he played from 1984 to 1991.

Maradona won the UEFA Cup and two league titles during a hugely successful spell in Naples

Mourinho’s Roma face Napoli in a crunch game in Serie ‘A’ in Naples on Monday night

The club enjoyed the most successful period in their history during his time there as they won what remains their only two Serie ‘A’ titles, the UEFA Cup – a trophy they have not lifted since – and the Coppa Italia.

Maradona scored 115 goals in 259 appearances for Napoli. Such was his status in Naples that his death 18 months ago hit as hard in the Italian city as it did back in his native Argentina. 

Roma, who reached the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League on Thursday, are fifth in Serie ‘A’.

Mourinho’s side trail third-placed Napoli by nine points heading into Monday’s match at Stadio San Paolo.