In San Andrés Cholula, in the center of the country, the faithful flock to the "Maradonian Church of Mexico", open to the glory of the Pibe de Oro.
There is a replica of the World Cup, which he won in 1986 in the Central American country, candles and stoles on which we can read "D10S", the word God adapted to number 10, which has accompanied the leader of the Albiceleste during his career.
"It's a little madness that I created for football lovers," said Marcelo Salvador Buchet, a 45-year-old Argentinian who has lived in Mexico for 20 years.
"Today is a special day, we remember the first anniversary of Diego's departure".
Vicente Avendaño, priest of the Maradoniana Church of Mexico, in San Andrés Cholula, in the state of Puebla, poses on the occasion of the first anniversary of the death of Diego Maradona, November 25, 2021. JOSÉ CASTAÑARES AFP
The structure, which is not registered with the government to be considered a proper church, has been operating for four months in a 20 m2 space and is not for profit.
“People come to talk about football, to talk about Diego and watch his videos, to drink mate,” the South American drink from Native American culture, explains Buchet.
While he was hoping to start "baptisms and weddings" next year, Buchet had to anticipate when an admirer of the Pibe de Oro came to ask him to baptize Natalia, barely a month old, for "the first baptism. Maradonian. "
For the first anniversary of Diego Maradona's death, a tribute is paid to him at the Maradoniana Church of Mexico, in San Andrés Cholula, in the state of Puebla, in Mexico, on November 25, 2021. JOSÉ CASTAÑARES AFP
"I'm a big fan of Diego, he was unique and irreplaceable," said Carlos Ivan Alvarado, the baby's father.
"We came to remember him and [...] I asked if they could baptize my little girl."
The first baptism in this temple in honor of Maradona, among the flowers that pay homage to him and the swimsuits he wore.
© 2021 AFP