Diego Maradona's first club, where he debuted as a 15-year-old, adds his likeness to the stadium's center circle as tributes continue to pour in for the late Argentine star
The touching tributes for Diego Maradona continue to pour in since the Argentine soccer legend's death last month.
For his close friends and family members, the latest homage felt right at home as Argentinos Juniors sketched the late Argentina star's likeness over the center circle of the pitch in a stadium that's rightly named after Maradona.
The new playing surface with Maradona's image was part of a series of tributes unveiled this week by Argentinos Juniors, the club with whom a then-soccer prodigy debuted as a 15-year-old in 1976 and became an instant star.
He would score 116 goals during his time with Argentinos Juniors before moving on to Boca Juniors in 1981.
Argentinos Juniors honored the legacy of Diego Maradona by painting his likeness over the center circle area at the stadium that is named after the late Argentine soccer icon
A shrine was unveiled Tuesday at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, by Argentinos Juniors, the club with whom the soccer star debuted in 1976 as a 15-year-old
Argentinos Juniors located a statue of Maradona holding the 1986 World Cup next to the home team's bench
Close friends and family members were brought to tears during a ceremony Tuesday as the club also introduced a shrine inside the stadium to honor Maradona's legacy.
The small museum features a wall painting of a smiling Maradona wearing the club's old red jersey. The room's walls are adorned with a variety of artifacts, including jerseys, that were donated by fans who have visited the stadium to pay their respects since Maradona died of a heart attack at the age of 60 on November 25.
The club also located next to the home team's bench a statue of Maradona dressed in the national team's uniform and holding the 1986 World Cup.
An Argentine senator came forward Monday and presented a plan to Congress to put Maradona on the country's banks notes.
Diego Maradona in action during a match for Argentinos Juniors, the club with whom he debuted as a 15-year-old in 1976
Friends and family members of Diego Maradona attended an event at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Tuesday for the unveiling of a shrine
An artists takes care of the finishing touches on a wall painting of Diego Maradona, who died of a heart attack on November 25
Senator Norma Durango proposals includes having the soccer star and possibly even his 'Hand of God' image on a 1,000-peso note.
The note, worth around $12.27 at Monday's exchange rate, would feature Maradona's face on one side and a picture of one of his most famous goals on the other. Maradona's most notable goals came in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England.
Argentine soccer legend holds the 1986 World Cup as he is carried on his teammate's shoulders in Mexico City on June 29, 1986
Diego Maradona starred for Boca Juniors before his move to Barcelona
He got the first by punching the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and the second by dribbling past half the England team to score what is still considered one of the greatest goals of all time.
'The idea is to recognize Maradona, for good and for bad, who is the best known Argentine in the world,' Durango said. 'I feel the project has got a great response even though some people don't agree with it.'
The current 1,000-peso note features the national bird, the Rufous hornero.