Argentine football is gearing up for weekend celebrations to mark the birthday of the late soccer star Diego Maradona, with matches across the country halted and clubs and fans dressed to remember the controversial superstar.
The former Boca Juniors, Napoli and Barcelona player died of a heart attack on November 20 last year. His death was widely mourned in Argentina, which led him to victory in the 1986 World Cup.
The Argentine Football Association wrote, “Today, 61 years after his birth, his memory exists more than ever before. Because Diego is eternal.”
The AFA has told all professional clubs that players are required to enter the field wearing T-shirts with Maradona’s picture on the front and team captains to wear blue and white armbands – Argentina’s national colours – with the silhouette on it. .
All matches, including amateur and children’s matches, have been asked to stop after 10 minutes for one-minute applause.
The association expects 1,000 games across the South American nation to be affected and asked fans to take and upload photos using the hashtag #1000PartidosPorEl10, or “10 for 1000 matches.”
“Diego is in the hearts of all Argentines,” it said. “Don’t make a mistake.”
The first tribute took place at Friday night’s league matches, with billboards outside the stadium showing pictures of the star.
A drone carrying a replica of Maradona’s number 10 Argentine shirt flew over the stadium where Racing lost to Defensa y Justicia at home.
Recorded songs to pay tribute to Maradona were played as fans rejoiced and sang along.
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