Messi to headline Maradona ‘match for peace’ homage

A woman reacts in front of a mural depicting the late football legend Diego Maradona and PSG player Lionel Messi near Bella Vista cemeteryReuters

Lionel Messi will headline a star-studded lineup for a ‘match for peace’ in tribute to fellow Argentina football great Diego Maradona on 14 November in Rome, organisers announced on Monday.

In addition to Messi, former Brazilian star Ronaldinho, Italian World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon and Roma’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho confirmed their presence in a video published by the WEPLAYFORPEACE platform for the third edition of the “match for peace” organised by a foundation created by Pope Francis.

The video was uploaded on 10 October, to signify 10/10, in tribute to the number 10 jersey worn by Maradona during his career. His nickname was ‘el ultimo Diez’ (the last 10).

In this AFP file photo taken on 3 July 2010 Argentina's coach Diego Maradona hugs Argentina's striker Lionel Messi after the 2010 World Cup quarter final Argentina vs Germany at Green Point stadium in Cape Town.

Former World Cup winner Maradona died aged 60 of heart failure in November 2020.

The match will take place on 14 November at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, less than a week before the start of the World Cup in Qatar.