The offspring of the renowned football icon Diego Maradona have unveiled plans to establish a foundation in his honor, featuring a memorial site set to be erected in the heart of Buenos Aires.
Scheduled for a grand opening in 2025 within the popular Puerto Madero area, the “M10 Memorial” is anticipated to attract up to one million visitors annually, as stated on its official website.
During a public presentation broadcasted on YouTube, Maradona’s daughter, Dalma Maradona, expressed the family’s desire for their father to remain close to the affection of the people, allowing visitors to pay their respects by leaving flowers at the site.
The 1,000-square-meter site will offer complimentary entry to Argentine nationals, with an option for visitors to have their photo displayed on a “heritage wall” by making a donation to the Maradona Foundation.
Dalma emphasized that the foundation, led by herself and four of Maradona’s children from prior relationships, was established to honor his memory and safeguard his legacy.
Recently, a court granted permission to relocate Maradona’s remains from a cemetery to a mausoleum at the forthcoming memorial location, enabling fans and tourists to pay tribute to “Argentina’s great idol”.
Maradona tragically passed away in November 2020 at the age of 60 while recovering from brain surgery related to a blood clot, following years of struggles with substance abuse.
He was discovered lifeless in bed two weeks after the surgery, at a residence in an upscale Buenos Aires neighborhood where he had been residing post-hospital discharge.
The cause of his passing was attributed to a heart attack, although an inquiry is ongoing to determine if any medical oversights by Maradona’s healthcare team contributed to his demise.