30 June 1984: Ferlaino signs Maradona for Napoli

Napoli were founded on 25 August 1926, when Internaples changed its name at the initiative of president Giorgio Ascarelli, becoming Associazione Calcio Napoli.

The step up came on 30 June 1984. President Corrado Ferlaino, in charge of the club since 18 January 1969, completed the signing of Diego Armando Maradona from Barcelona for 15 billion lire. It was the deal that opened the most successful cycle in Napoli's history. The club had been Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli S.p.A. since 25 June 1964.

In 1986-87, with Ottavio Bianchi as head coach, Napoli won their first Scudetto (the Serie A title), adding the club's third Coppa Italia in the same season. Napoli had never won the league in more than sixty years of history.

Two seasons later, in 1988-89, Napoli won the UEFA Cup, still the only European trophy in the club's history, beating Stuttgart over two legs in the final. The following season, 1989-90, under Alberto Bigon, brought a second Scudetto, followed by the 1990 Supercoppa Italiana, Italy's season-opening Super Cup.

Maradona's departure in 1991 closed the cycle. In seven seasons Napoli won two Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, one UEFA Cup and one Supercoppa, a haul the club matched only decades later, with the Scudetti of 2022-23 and 2024-25, taking the total to four league titles. Napoli are a different club now, but 30 June 1984 remains the date that changed its history.