Maradona one year later: Argentina, the football planet, remembers genius and sulfur

"We will miss you all of our lives."

The Argentine Football League published on the eve of the anniversary a video on the life, goals, trophies of Maradona, punctuated by the words moved in 2001, after a tribute match: "This match is over (.. .) but may never end the love you have for me ”.

Wish granted.

A year after his death of a heart attack, after a slow deterioration in his state of health, overcome by excesses and addictions, the idol of Argentina seemed to never stop receiving honors, the one which brought the country the 1986 World Cup, and the pride of being the homeland of the "best player in history".

Or at least of the 20th century, according to a public vote organized in 2000 by Fifa - Pelé was consecrated by a vote of experts.

In Argentina, statues, monuments, dozens of murals, have flourished for a year in several cities of the country and working-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, representing Maradona at all ages, in all postures.

Especially with the Albiceleste jersey.

These tributes culminated on October 30 for what would have been the 61st anniversary of "D10S" (pun between "God" and "10", its number): the championship matches stopped at the "10" minute for standing ovations , projections of images of the idol, a charity match with ex-glories of "his" Argentina team from 1986, etc.

Diego Maradona Robin BJALON AFP

The anniversary of his death was to be more low-key and collected, with the league matches providing for a minute of silence, with the players forming the number "10" on the pitch.

And "Diegooo, Diegooo!", Or songs to the glory of the "10 Eterno" will undoubtedly descend from the stands.

"Maker of happiness"

Dalma, Maradona's second daughter (34), recently made it known that while grateful for the tributes to date and invitations, she would not participate in anything on November 25 which marks "the worst day of her life", a day "neither to commemorate nor to celebrate".

Masses are well planned, as in the slum of Villa Fiorito where the champion grew up, and spontaneous gatherings will undoubtedly not be lacking in the vicinity of stadiums, such as that of Argentinos Juniors, the club of his beginnings, or Boca Juniors, legendary club where Diego only played two years but with which he remains associated forever.

Posters of Argentinian football star Diego Maradona lined up in "Maradona square" in the "Spanish quarters" of Naples, November 23, 2021 Carlo Hermann AFP

In Naples (Italy), where the magical left-hander played for seven years, bringing the club two unprecedented titles of Italian champion and a UEFA Cup, the tributes will go on crescendo, with two statues of Maradona unveiled.

One in bronze, ordered by the municipality, will be inaugurated this Thursday in front of the former San Paolo stadium, renamed the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, the other, an initiative of the club, will be unveiled in the stadium on Sunday, before a match against the Lazio Rome.

A bronze statue in the studio of sculptor Domenico Sepe representing Diego Maradona, November 22, 2021 in Naples Carlo Hermann AFP

A match that the Napoli players will play, as for three weeks, with jerseys featuring the stylized face of the Argentinian, object of a lasting cult in Naples.

But another "legacy" of Maradona, last year in Argentina will also have seen the legal proceedings unravel.

On the conditions of his death, with an investigation for manslaughter by negligent care.

On his inheritance, between five descendants - five recognized at least.

On the use of its trademark.

On the debts and expenses left behind.

A mural by the artist Matley representing Diego Maradona, on June 22, 2021 in Buenos Aires Juan MABROMATA AFP / Archives

Or quite recently, for a complaint relating to a 37-year-old Cuban, the player's ex-liaison when she was a minor in the early 2000s, and who accused the idol, then a cocaine addict, and her entourage of violence and abuse. 'alleged abuse.

“A year after his death, Diego, maker of happiness, also continues to cause pain,” La Nacion nicely summed up this week.

"By the sadness of death, because we loved it so much. And by the signs of self-destruction. The great contradiction between public happiness, and private suffering."

© 2021 AFP