The Maradonian Church and the cult of D10S

June 22, 1986 is not a date like any other, especially for Argentines. On June 22, 1986, on that sultry Sunday, at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Diego Armando Maradona marked what will go down in history as the "goal of the century". Although many remember it as the goal that the second gave the second World Cup to Selección, Maradona's brace against England was "only" worth the final, then won 3-2 against West Germany thanks to a goal at minute 84 of Jorge Luis "Burru" Burruchaga.

That Sunday, however, Maradona did not mark one of the most iconic - and most discussed - goals in the history of football, but unconsciously laid the cornerstone of what today in Argentina everyone recognizes as "Iglesia Maradoniana", or the Church of Maradona. Stage break, followed by a strong sigh. On 30 October 1998, exactly 4,513 days after the "mano de D10S", Hernán Amez, Héctor Capomar, Alejandro Verón and Federico Canepa founded a cult based on a logical and deductive principle, almost like a form of syllogism: the Fútbol in Argentina is a religion; religion foresees the existence of a God; the God of Fútbol was born in Lanús on 30 October 1960 and is called Diego Armando Maradona.

Even if someone calls it "a parodistic monotheistic religion", the Church of Maradona is much more. It is important, before going into details, to clarify a clear difference between the concept of religion and the concept of worship. By worship we generally mean adoration of God, a relationship with what is sacred and for this reason it is often confused with religion. In the more extensive version of the meaning, the customs and acts by which religious sentiment is expressed are identified with worship. Religion, on the other hand, represents all the rules of life and all the acts of faith towards a divine entity. The border is very thin, but keep the icon open.

Adoring Diego Armando Maradona is a mission. The word "parody" associated with this mission is not suitable and not because God and his Trinity, Allah, YHWH or Yahweh, Buddha or Īśvara, are not involved. It is not suitable because at the base of the Maradonian Iglesia there are people who worship, believe and contemplate an earthly God. "Maradona, unlike other divinities or other spiritual entities, existed in a contemporary era and we have concrete evidence of his existence," explains a Maradonian in one of the many interviews made in Rosario, the seat of the Church. "There are those who believe we are fanatics and exaggerated, but fanaticism is a disease and we are not sick. We simply believe in a divinity and worship it with all our strength, just like the others." Can anyone argue?

Like any cult, there are rituals, masses, miracles, initiation rites, prayers, sacraments and commandments. The Maradonian Church is equipped with everything. They celebrate Christmas (easy to guess when) and Easter (which falls on June 22, 1986). Everything is bizarre, or there is absolutely nothing. They also have their own calendar, exactly like the Islamic or Jewish one. The year 0 corresponds to 1960, from then onwards are A.D. (After Diego). It is difficult to estimate the number of faithful: according to the latest from IlSole24ore.com, there are about 820,000 followers of Maradonianism, spread in 60 countries and over 600 cities. Among the followers, many famous personalities from the world of sport: Riquelme, Tevez and Messi obviously, Don Francis - aka Francisco Cornejo, the man who "discovered" Maradona -, but also many non-Argentine footballers such as Michael Owen and Ronaldinho (yes, a Brazilian who believes in an Argentine God).

Ronaldinho is obviously the exception - or paradox - that confirms the rule. Alejandro Verón, one of the founding fathers, tells the anecdote directly: "One morning the phone rang and I received a call because Ronaldinho wanted a shirt of the Maradonian Church. I hung up immediately, thinking it was a joke. Shortly after Jorge 'El Topo' Lopez (journalist tragically disappeared in a road accident during the 2014 World Cup), who at the time was the correspondent for the 'Sport' newspaper in Spain, called me saying that during an interview with Ronaldinho, the Brazilian asked him more about 'those madmen of the Maradonian Church' and he confessed to wanting the shirt. Obviously we sent him everything and he returned by sending us a photo that we jealously guard". Everything is the opposite of everything.

As in a real catechesis course, the first things that are taught are the 10 commandments and the fundamental prayers. Those of the Maradonian Church will sound similar to something you have already heard, but with some minor differences.

The ball is never soiled.

Love football above all else.

Declare unconditional love for Diego and the beauty of football.

Defend the Argentina shirt.

Spread the news of Diego's miracles throughout the universe.

Honour the temples where he played and his sacred shirts.

Don't proclaim Diego as a member of any single team.

Preach and spread the principles of the Church of Maradona.

Make Diego your middle name and name your first son Diego.

Don't live estranged from reality and don't be useless.

Commandment number 9 is rather singular. But there are those who have gone further. It is the story of Walter Rotundo, a Maradonian family father who decided to call his twin sisters Mara and Dona. During an interview with Rodrigo Márquez Tizano of Vice, Walter explained the reasons for his choice and revealed that it was a plan he had already decided with his wife. Wife who, of course, he married with a Maradonian rite, then presenting himself at the altar of a Maradonian Church and swearing allegiance in the name of ... Diego.

As for prayers, however, the most common are the "Diego Our", "I believe in Diego" and "D10S Save You". All liturgical rites do not end with an "Amen" but with a "Diego" and the beatification also includes mother Doña Dalma, called Doña Tota, and Don Diego, called Chitoro, father of the ex diez of Naples.

DIEGO OUR
Diego of us who are on the pitches. Hallowed be your left hand, come to us your magic. Let your goals be remembered on Earth as they are in Heaven. Give us today the magic of every day, forgive the English, as we forgive the Neapolitan mafia, do not let us fall off-side and free us from Havelange and Pele.
Diego.

I BELIEVE IN DIEGO
I believe in Diego. An almighty footballer, creator of magic and passion. I believe in Pelusa, our D10S, our Lord. Which was conceived by the work and grace of Tota and Don Diego. He was born in Villa Fiorito, he suffered under Havelange's power, he was crucified, dead and badly treated. Suspended from the fields. His legs were cut off. But he returned and resurrected his spell. He will be inside our hearts, forever and ever. I believe in the spirit of football, the holy Maradonian Church, the goal against the English, the magic left foot, the eternal devilish dribble, and in an eternal Diego.
Diego.

D10S SAVE YOU
Hail ball, full of Magic, Diego is with you, blessed are you among all others and blessed is the Diego who won't let you stain. Holy Round, Mother of Football, pray for us players, now and at the time of our meeting.
Diego.