Maradona seemed in great spirits, while quite possibly consuming numerous spirits, as he celebrated his honorary citizenship in Napoli.
The celebrations spilled into the street where Maradona sat on top of a van and led the fans in a chant, "Whoever is not cheering is a Juventus fan!"
Maradona recently attended the Confederations Cup in Russia and a video emerged of him enjoying what apperaed to be a shot of vodka on his flight from Russia to Italy.
Some 30,000 people were expected to attend the public ceremony, according to the ANSA news agency.
Maradona, 56, played with Napoli from 1984 to 1991, helping them win the 1987 and 1990 Italian league titles, the Italian Cup in 1987 and the UEFA Cup in 1989.
He left Italy in 1991 amid charges of drug use and has been involved in a long controversy over alleged tax evasion.
Maradona was also accused of enjoying friendly relations with members of Naples' Camorra mafia.
Nevertheless, he has always enjoyed a cult following in Naples.
When Italy played Argentina in Naples in the 1990 World Cup semi-final, most of the local spectators rooted for the visiting team because Maradona played for them. The hosts lost the match on penalties.
Earlier this year, Maradona starred in a show at Naples' San Carlo theatre celebrating the 30th anniversary of Napoli's first league title, and was inducted in the hall of fame of the Italian football federation.
