"We will miss you all of our lives."

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

Wish granted.

One year after his death of a heart attack, overcome by excesses and addictions, to alcohol, psychotropic drugs (cocaine), the 1986 world champion, named "best player in history" by a public vote organized by FIFA in 2000, has never ceased to receive honors from Argentina.

"You gave us the sky".

"Eternal thanks".

Here a handwritten word, there a flag, a poster held at arm's length, again a bouquet of flowers: the tributes, individual and modest, made Thursday near the cemetery - closed to the public - of Bella Vista where the idol rests, or in front of the house of his childhood, in the shanty town of Villa Fiorito, set the tone for a collected, discreet day under a gray sky for the occasion.

Diego Maradona Robin BJALON AFP

They contrasted with the fountains of tears, the wake of tens of thousands of people and the overflowing crowds of the three days of national mourning that followed his death on November 25, 2020.

For a year now, in Argentina, statues, monuments or frescoes have never ceased to emerge in several cities, working-class districts of Buenos Aires, representing the "Pibe de Oro" (golden kid) at all ages, under all appearances. postures.

This time a mosaic was inaugurated Thursday near the stadium of Argentinos Juniors, the club of its beginnings.

Tributes to the "D10S" (pun between "God" and "10", its number) peaked on October 30, which would have been the date of her 61st birthday: league matches stopped at minute "10" for ovations, projections of images of the idol, charity match with ex-glories of "his" Argentina team from 1986.

His daughter Dalma, 34, had warned this time, while thanking the tributes, that she would not participate in anything on November 25, "the worst day of her life".

"It's been a year since the world is more horrible because you're not here anymore," she wrote on her Instagram account on Thursday.

"I can't stop crying," added her sister Gianinna.

In the evening, a minute of silence was scheduled during the championship matches with the players forming the number "10" on the fields.

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

"A year without Diego"

"It's a strange feeling, it's hard to believe," said his heir on the pitch, Lionel Messi, in an interview with the Spanish daily Marca.

"I always have the impression that at one time or another I will see him on television, giving an interview or his opinion on a subject" added the PSG midfielder who published an "Eternal Diego" on Thursday on his Instagram account.

A woman takes a photo of Diego Maradona's childhood home in the Villa Fiorito slum in Buenos Aires on November 25, 2021 JUAN MABROMATA AFP

"One year without Diego. Friends forever," for his part tweeted "King" Pelé from Brazil.

In Naples (Italy), where the magical left-hander played for seven years, bringing the club two new titles of Italian champion and a UEFA Cup, the tifosi have placed flowers, photos and tributes around the "mausoleum" dedicated to Maradona in the Spanish Quarters, famous popular district in the heart of the city.

Fans of Boca Juniors, Maradona's emblematic club in Buenos Aires, came from Argentina to deploy banners in tribute near the ex-San Paolo stadium, now Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

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

A bronze statue of the player, commissioned by the municipality, was also unveiled in front of the stadium.

Another, at the initiative of the club, will be unveiled on Sunday before a Naples-Lazio 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.

In India, another statue of Maradona was covered with flowers in Calcutta (northeast) and supporters gathered in front of a hotel in the state of Kerala (south) which has become a place of pilgrimage since a stay in 2012.

"Self-destruction"

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

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

Seven members of the medical team are implicated.

Then on his inheritance, between five descendants - five recognized at least.

Or even on the use of its trade mark.

Also on the debts 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 from a 37-year-old Cuban woman, who had an affair with the player as a minor in the early 2000s, and who accused the idol, then cocaine addict, and her entourage of alleged violence and 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