9781422278291

ARGENTINA

It is not unusual to hear the expression “soccer is a religion” when referring to the sport in many South American countries. In Argentina, however, there are those who take that expression quite literally. The Maradonian Church was founded in 2001 in Rosario, about a three- hour drive from the capital Buenos Aires. Followers of this church, who total more than 200,000, worship Argentine soccer icon Diego Maradona—or as they simply refer to him, El Diego. Maradona is the most famous and beloved figure in the rich history of Argentine soccer. The flamboyant midfielder casts a huge shadow, despite standing only 5’5”. His followers’ symbol for him is D10S, which combines his uniform number 10 with the Spanish word for God, Dios.

The worship of Maradona is just one example of the passion that soccer stirs in the hearts of the Argentine people. This passion is at peak level for the country’s national team, nicknamed La Albiceleste, which means “the white and sky blue”—the uniform colors of the team. The first match in national team history came against neighboring Uruguay in 1901. 29 years later, Argentina again played Uruguay in the final of the very first World Cup, a match it lost 4–2.

Diego Maradona is literally revered like a god in Argentina

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