Barcelona to play Boca Juniors in friendly tribute to Maradona

[October 26, 2021] SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Spanish club Barcelona will play Argentine giants Boca Juniors in a December tribute match to mark the one year-anniversary of the death of their former player Diego Maradona, the two clubs announced on Monday.

A screen displays an image of Diego Maradona and the legend "1960-infinity Thanks Diego" as a tribute Pool via REUTERS/Alejandro Pagni

“FC Barcelona and Club Atletico Boca Juniors will play the ‘Maradona Cup’ on Dec. 14, a game to pay tribute to the star Diego Armando Maradona when the first anniversary of his death is remembered,” Barcelona said in a statement.

Boca confirmed they will take part in the game and said it will be played at the Mrsool Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Maradona died from a heart attack on Nov. 25, 2020 after battling health issues and undergoing emergency surgery for a subdural haematoma.

The Argentine played for Barca and Boca in a storied career that included trophy wins in both countries. He also famously guided Argentina to their 1986 World Cup triumph in Mexico.

(Reporting by Javier Leira, writing by Andrew Downie; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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