To the cry of “Marado…Marado…” and with their gaze to the sky, unconditional followers of the ’10’ congregated in the Argentine city of Rosario, cradle of this particular fan club that emerged in the ’90s and with members from more than 50 countries, according to its founders.
At the first minute of Saturday, the fans exploded in shouts and applause, although there were tears in this annual rite that for the first time takes place after the death of what they consider to be the best player in the history of football.
“I think it is the largest Maradonian movement in the world,” Alejandro Verón, one of its founders, told AFP.
The ritual, which includes the recreation of his most memorable goals, was marked this year by the grief of the loss.
Maradona died on November 25, 2020 from a cardiorespiratory crisis while recovering in Buenos Aires from surgery to remove a hematoma from his head.
“Many realized that they loved Diego after November 25,” says Verón. “They can get on the train, there is room for everyone,” he invites.
Under a football goal, the ‘faithful’ remembered Maradona’s anecdotes and shared hugs and cries, alternated with the classic chants of the fans.
“Diego is football, he is our best ambassador in the world, he is the voice of those who have no voice, he is the footballer, the fan, the most humble field, the Argentine team”, describes Verón.
This unconditional fan remembers as a treasure the opportunity he met Maradona and told him about the ‘church’ in his honor.
“When the Diego Maradona rostrum was inaugurated on the Newells field in Rosario, I gave him the card, he embraces me and says thank you for the Church,” he recalled excitedly.
Among the members he assures that the legendary former English player is counted Gary Lineker.
“Gary Lineker, the 9th of the English team, met one of us at a hotel in Buenos Aires and asked us what to do to become a member,” said Verón.
The celebration is part of the tributes that remember Maradona this Saturday and that include tribute matches and tributes on all soccer fields where he will be remembered at minute 10 of each professional league game.
The main event will take place in the afternoon in a game with free admission at Argentinos Juniors, the club that was the birthplace of Maradona.
There, tribute will be paid with the presence of glories of Argentine soccer and the national team that were the world champions in 1978 and 1986, some of whom shared a team with Maradona, such as Sergio Goycochea, Claudio Caniggia and Oscar Ruggeri.
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
