How Diego Maradona Fueled the Rise of Naples’ Camorra

The Underworld Podcast

True Crime, Documentary, Society & Culture, History

4.6 • 871 Ratings

🗓️ 20 May 2025

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When Argentine soccer wizard Diego Armando Maradona swapped Barcelona for lowly Napoli in 1984, it shocked the sporting world — and sent Naples’ deadly Camorra into overdrive. Corrupt from the very start, the move would send the world’s greatest player into a tailspin of drugs, sex and crime, even while his onfield performances won Napoli its first league in over six decades. But as Maradona Mania gripped the Italian city, the star’s underworld friends realized how big a cash cow he was — and flooded Naples with drugs, smuggled cigarettes, guns and shady property deals. And it was right when Maradona was at his peak — an Italian league, and World Cup winner — that things really began to fall apart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	You know, when I started this podcast, it felt like I had to become 10 people overnight.
0:05.3	Producer, editor, marketer, designer. It was a lot. And I kept thinking, I wish I had someone in my
0:12.1	corner to help me figure this out. That's why I love today's sponsor, Shopify. It's like
0:16.7	having a built-in business partner. Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, from giants like Jim Shark to scrappy
0:24.7	upstarts just getting going.
0:26.6	With Shopify, you can launch your own studio or store using hundreds of stunning templates
0:30.6	that match your brand's vibe.
0:32.4	Need help with content, their AI tools help write product descriptions and enhance your
0:37.3	photos. Marketing, easy email and
0:39.8	social campaigns built right in. Inventory, shipping, returns, Shopify's got your back on all of it.
0:46.3	Turn your big business idea into with Shopify on your side. Sign up for your $1 per month trial
0:53.6	and start selling today at shopify.com.
0:56.2	com.com.com.com.com.com. Go to Shopify.com.com.com. Shopify.com.
1:02.2	Shopify.com.com. Hey, Harry. Hello, mate. Got any tips for the football?
1:07.8	Your best bet is to head over to bet Victor. They'll give a new customer as a terrific welcome offer.
1:12.7	If you bet a minimum of £10, they'll give you £30 in three bets.
1:16.6	Four, that's a steel of a deal.
1:18.3	It's a good darn deal that'll make your squirrel for real.
1:21.3	Neil?
1:22.1	My name's not Neil.
1:23.1	I know, but it rhymed.
1:24.8	Listen to Harry and make your best bet on the football at Bet Victor.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Underworld Podcast, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The Underworld Podcast and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.