The 37-year-old former Spain and Barcelona winger came off the bench to score the double that earned Lazio a 2-2 draw against Inter at San Siro on Sunday and stopped the reigning champions overtaking Napoli at the top of the table in the penultimate game of the season.
Napoli fans watching their team draw 0-0 at Parma on Sunday erupted in joy when the news of Pedro’s late equaliser from the penalty spot came though.
In Naples itself supporters could be heard singing Raffella Carrà’s catchy 1980 hit about a ‘Pedro’ - a tribute he usually gets from followers of Rome’s sky blues.
There was also an outpouring of love for Pedro from Neapolitans on social media.
On Monday, master presepe maker Marco Ferrigno uncovered a figurine devoted to the Spaniard in his workshop in the southern city’s nativity-scene street, Via San Gregorio Armeno, with the inscription “Grazie Pedro”.
“It’s a sincere tribute,” said Ferrigno.
“Pedro has entered the hearts of the Neapolitans without wanting to.
“We do not forget those who give us a hand in Naples, even if they are wearing another shirt.
“The Neapolitan nativity scene is about history and the heart.
“And at this moment in history, it is right for Pedro to be there.
“He is a symbol of the twist of fate that Naples is experiencing.”
Meanwhile, Napoli coach Antonio Conte and Inter boss Simone Inzaghi will both be unable to command their teams from the touchline in Friday’s decisive matches for the Serie A title race against Cagliari and Como respectively after being sent off at their end of their sides’ games on Sunday.
Inzaghi got a red card for dissent in Inter’s dramatic 2-2 draw at home with Lazio, who had their coach Marco Baroni sent off for the same reason.
Conte will be suspended too after he saw red for a big bust up with Parma boss Cristian Chivu at the end of a goalless draw away from home.
Chivu was also red-carded.
Napoli go into the last round of fixtures with a one-point advantage over champions Inter.
ANSA
