Zeenews Bureau Buenos Aires, Oct 29:Years after modern football’s greatest star Diego Maradona helped his team win the soccer World Cup he seems to step into a new role this time only unknowingly.
Inspired by Diego Maradona’s religious fanaticism literally, a group of fervent fans
set a up a church venerating their idol that celebrates Maradonian Christmas on his birthday, October 30.
On the occassion two young Mexican couples tied the knot in Argentina at a
ceremony overseen by a church venerating Diego Maradona.
"At first it was strange, something I didn't completely understand. Then I got nervous and after that it was just pure emotion and nerves for the wedding. But obviously I'm
happy," said Mario Cuellar
"The idea started with the other couple, Adrian and Olivia, that just got married with us. They suggested it, we accepted and that's how it was born."
In Spanish, Diez, or ten, is just one vowel short of Dios, or God and for fans, the man who wore the number ten is a deity.
Outside the club, followers milled about with soccer jerseys bearing the number sacred number, showing off their Maradona tattoos and chatting.
Maradona, 47, is worshipped for his electric play, timely goals and bold, sometimes poetic statements. Humble beginnings couldn't stop Maradona from being the star for
the legendary Boca Juniors, leading Argentina to a 1986 World Cup victory, and making an indelible mark on the
The couples, Adrian Acosta 25 and Olivia Pozos Barcelata 22, Mario Cuellar 24 and Emma Paez 22, wed on a stage with a dollhouse-sized church, a soccer ball with a Halo and huge poster of Maradona as a backdrop. A 'priest' from the church read vows adjusted to suit the Maradonian
doctrine.
When the clock struck midnight, rowdy fans did a 'count-up' from one to ten and the year flipped to 47 D.D. despues de Diego or after Diego - and the crowd exploded
into happy birthday wishes.
Plagued by drug scandals towards the end of his career, Maradona insatiable thirst and boundless energy steered him into drug problems and obesity after he retired.
But for the devout fans of his church, this has done little to dampen their dedication.
Maradona was voted FIFA's co-player of the 20th century along with Brazil's Pele.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, Maradona is the first soccer player with his own religion.
Maradona was in Argentina to cast his vote for president-elect Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on Sunday, but did not attend the ceremony.