Diego Maradona, wearing the legendary Albiceleste shirt, emerges as a hologram from the shadows. Using a recreation of the football legend's voice, he invites visitors to embark on a journey through the multimedia exhibition 'Diego eterno,' which opened this week in Buenos Aires.
The 800-square-metre exhibition, celebrating Maradona’s life both on and off the pitch, features a vast array of memorabilia, including shirts, footballs, photographs, and videos showcasing his legendary skills and iconic quotes.
Visitors can explore recreations of spaces pivotal to his career, virtual reality experiences, and even a designated area for playing football.
"Being at the exhibition feels like being with Diego, and the name says it all: he is eternal," says Daniel Arcucci, the legendary playmaker's biographer. "If anyone embodies eternity, it’s Maradona. He continues to live on and tell us stories."
Among the recreated spaces are the kitchen of his childhood home in the humble Villa Fiorito neighbourhood in Lanús and the locker room at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, where the Argentine team celebrated their 1986 World Cup victory.
One section, open until January 31, 2025, is dedicated to Argentina's iconic 1986 quarter-final match against England. It includes an immersive experience recreating Maradona’s "Goal of the Century," viewed from the perspective of the legendary number 10.
Throughout the exhibition, some of Maradona’s most memorable quotes are displayed on walls and screens. These include: "Yo me equivoqué y pagué, pero la pelota no se mancha" ("I made mistakes and paid for them, but the ball doesn’t stain") and "Llegar al área y no poder patear al arco es como bailar con tu hermana" ("Reaching the penalty area and not being able to shoot is like dancing with your sister").
Another section showcases photographs of Maradona with renowned figures, including artists like Queen and Oasis, sports legends such as Pelé and Roger Federer, and political leaders like Fidel Castro, Hugo Chávez, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and several Argentine presidents.
The items on display in 'Diego eterno' are part of the Fundación Maradona’s collection, established in October by his children to "honour and preserve his legacy."
The foundation is also developing the 'M10 Memorial,' a mausoleum in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, where Maradona’s remains will be relocated for public visitation.
Set to open in 2025, the mausoleum will span 1,000 square metres and is designed to welcome up to a million visitors annually.
In October, local courts authorised the transfer of Maradona’s remains to facilitate tributes from fans and tourists.
The national icon passed away at the age of 60 from a heart attack on November 25, 2020. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death are ongoing.
– TIMES/AFP
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