Napoli light up their San Paolo Stadium to honour Diego Maradona as thousands of fans gather outside

Napoli have lit up their San Paolo Stadium to honour Diego Maradona ahead of their Europa League clash wit Rijeka.

Maradona died on Wednesday at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home, just two weeks after undergoing surgery for a blood clot on his brain.

The Argentine’s best years came playing for the Serie A side between 1984 and 1991 and led the club to unprecedented success, including two league titles and the UEFA Cup in 1989.  

Napoli have lit up their San Paolo Stadium to honour Diego Maradona following his death on Wednesday

Thousands of fans have gathered outside the ground to pay their respects to the Argentine

Candles were lit outside the ground as supporters honoured their football hero

Thousands of Napoli fans have gathered outside the stadium to pay their respects to their hero. 

A number of scarves, messages and banners have also been hung up on the railings.

There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off followed by a moment where the entire city will come together in applause. Maradona’s face will also remain on the screens for the entire game. 

Napoli’s president Aurelio de Laurentiis confirmed the club are considering re-naming their stadium after Maradona.

 ‘We can consider the idea of calling our stadium San Paolo-Diego Armando Maradona,’ he told told French sports channel RMC Sport.

The move was backed by Naples mayor Luigi de Magistris who said on Twitter: ‘We will name the Stadio San Paolo in honour of Diego Armando Maradona!” the official stated on his official Twitter account on Wednesday.’ 

Scarves, photos and messages have also been left on the railings outside the ground

Maradona’s face will remain on the screens throughout the game as part of another tribute

Maradona led Napoli to two league titles between 1984 and 1991 as well as the UEFA Cup