Foot: for its 60 years, Maradona briefly attends the victory of his team of Gimnasia de La Plata - France 24

Buenos Aires (AFP)

Gimnasia y Escrima la Plata, the team coached by Diego Maradona, beat Patronato 3-0 on Friday, giving the Argentine soccer star, who came to make a cameo at the sidelines, a precious victory in his 60th anniversary anniversary.

The birthday of the famous Argentinian football player coincided with the resumption of the Argentine first division championship after 228 days of stoppage due to Covid-19.

Maradona, placed in preventive isolation for several days for having been in contact with a person showing symptoms of Covid-19, was finally able to attend a small part of this match.

Minutes before the start of the game, the Argentinian entered the pitch with a hesitant step due to his aching knees, accompanied by two assistants who helped him walk, while the stadium announcer wanted a happy birthday "best ever".

Even though there were no spectators in the stadium due to coronavirus restrictions, the traditional “Olé ole ole, Diego, Diego” sounded over the speakers, with fireworks launched from the street.

Marcelo Tinelli, President of the Professional League, greeted Maradona with a hug and presented him with a tribute plaque.

The captain of the 1986 world champion team in Mexico also received recognition from Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Federation (AFA).

"Argentinian football owes you a lot," Tapia told Maradona, who then sat for a while in the chair next to the substitutes' bench, chatting with Tinelli as the players entered the pitch.

Maradona's presence that day had been uncertain for a long time, due to her being placed in solitary confinement.

As the former N.10 remains a person at risk, due to his multiple operations for respiratory or heart failure, he then withdrew from the field shortly after.

Many other tributes were paid to Maradona throughout the day.

So, a few hours before the match, some 500 Gimnasia fans had gathered on a field next to Maradona's house, in the town of Brandsen, on the outskirts of La Plata, and from there they sang a song to her. happy birthday greeting him.

© 2020 AFP