Iglesia Maradoniana (The Church of Maradona)

The Iglesia Maradoniana (Church of Maradona) is a parody religion founded by supporters of the former Argentine footballer Diego Armando Maradona, whom they consider the best in the world as well as the God of football.

The religious parody was born on 30 October 1998 (Maradona's thirty-eighth birthday) in the city of Rosario, when two Argentine journalists, Hernán Amez and Alejandro Verón, began jokingly celebrating Diego Maradona's birthday as if it were Christmas Day[1][2]. They were joined by Héctor Capomar and, the following year, by Federico Canepa. It was these four who invented — always in a light-hearted spirit — and made public in 2001 the new religion, establishing the start of the Maradonian Era in 1960 as "year 0": 2015 is therefore considered 55 D.D. (Después de Diego, After Diego).

Today, this parody "cult" numbers over 120,000 followers in more than 60 countries around the world and 600 cities (mostly in Argentina), including other famous footballers such as Ronaldinho, Michael Owen, Riquelme and Lionel Messi, other well-known figures such as Emanuel Ginóbili, as well as Maradona's "discoverer", Francisco Cornejo. Maradona himself, speaking of the adoration shown towards him, declared:

« To the founders of this movement and to the fans involved, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping me so present in your mind and in your heart. Thank you. » Doctrine Maradonianism is seen as a kind of syncretism, founded on the passion for the game of football and for Maradona: this justifies the fact that the deity is not something immaterial, but a simple mortal who plays football (divinely, according to the dogma). This does not clash with religion, particularly the Christian faith practised by most Maradonians: as one of the founders, Alejandro Verón, once put it: "We have a rational God and a passionate God, who is always Diego Maradona".
The purpose of the creed is to keep alive the memory and the joy given by the plays of D10s Maradona (a tetragrammaton formed by the Spanish word Dios (God) merged with the number 10 on the Argentine player's shirt).

Sacraments and Festivities

A mural of "la mano de Dios" (the hand of God) in Helsinki, Finland. The religion has adopted some of the Christian sacraments and festivities, adapting them to honour D10s:
the Baptism of a new believer takes place by swearing on the player's autobiography, Yo soy el Diego (I am Diego); Marriage takes place by swearing on the book and on a football, and also involves the exchange of rings in front of a poster of Maradona. The first wedding of this kind was celebrated on 22 November 2006 between Mauricio Bustamante and Jaquelin Verón; Christmas is celebrated on the night between 29 and 30 October each year: in 2003 one of Maradona's daughters, Dalma, attended the ceremony; Easter is celebrated on 22 June, the day on which the Argentina - England match was played in 1986, in which Maradona scored the Hand of God goal. The Ten Commandments The ball must never be dishonoured, as D10s proclaimed in his book Love football above all else Declare your unconditional love for football Defend the Argentina shirt, respecting the people Spread the word of Diego Maradona throughout the universe Praise the temples where he preached and their sacred pitches Do not proclaim Diego's name in the name of a single club Follow the principles of the Maradonian Church Use Diego as a middle name and give it to one of your children Do not be a hothead Prayers Like most of the creed, the prayers too are parodies of Christianity.

Our Diego

Our Diego, who art on the pitches, hallowed be thy left foot. Thy football come, thy goals be exalted, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily dose of magic, forgive the English, as we forgive the Neapolitan Camorra. Lead us not into offside, and deliver us from Havelange and Pelé, Diego
Creed « I believe in Diego, almighty footballer, creator of magic and passion. I believe in Pelusa (Maradona's nickname), our D10s, our Lord, who was conceived by the work and grace of Tota and Don Diego. He was born in Villa Fiorito, and suffered under the power of Havelange. He was crucified, killed and mistreated, driven from the pitches, his legs were cut down. But he turned and his magic rose again. He will always be in our hearts, forever and for eternity. I believe in the spirit of football, in the holy Iglesia Maradoniana, in the goal against the English, in the magic left foot, in the legendary devilish dribble, and in the eternal Diego. Diego. »

Hail D10s

« D10s save you, ball, full of magic, Diego is with you. Blessed are you among all others, and blessed is Diego, who must never be without you. Holy round one, mother of the goal, pray for us players, now and at the hour of our meeting... Diego. »

(source: Wikipedia)

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