For Napoli fans, the team is a religion and Maradona is god

When Lionel Messi climbs up the steps from the moat surrounding the field at the San Paolo Stadium on Tuesday and emerges into the Champions League spotlight, he'll be stepping onto sacred ground.

The ground where fellow Argentina great Diego Maradona achieved some of his most memorable exploits and where the player he is often compared to is still revered with god-like status.

Just ask Alcide Carmine, the owner of a coffee bar in downtown Naples that features an altar dedicated to Maradona.

"For us, Maradona is more than a man. He's a god. We Neapolitans love soccer and live for soccer," Carmine said in an interview over an espresso.

"We can never forget what he did for us."
It's labeled "miraculous hair."
"I kept it and then I had the idea to do this."
After leaving Barcelona - where Messi now plays - Maradona led Napoli to its only two Italian league titles in 1987 and 1990, plus the 1989 UEFA Cup. He also led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, scoring a goal with his fist against England in the quarterfinals that became known as the "Hand of God."
"Other miracles are just stories."
"We're still talking about him 30 years later."
"They live in hiding."
"Ciro's personality is really Neapolitan."