One Year After Diego Maradona's Death, His Family Wants The Argentine Government To Build A Mausoleum For The Hand Of God

A mural depicting soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona is seen in front of the Diego Maradona stadium, ahead of the commemoration of his 61st birthday, in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Diego Maradona's family marked the first anniversary of the Argentine football legend's passing on Thursday by revealing one of Maradona's last wishes. What's that?

Launching Antara, the best Argentine footballer wants his body to be placed in a mausoleum where fans can pay their respects.

The family said they had asked the Buenos Aires government to help them provide land to build the "Maradona Memorial" by the river and close to nature.

"Today, one of your last wishes is starting to come true", the Maradona family wrote on their Instagram page, alongside the official request.

The letter says Maradona wants "a place of eternal rest where he can be visited and receive the recognition and love of the millions who express it every day in different ways".

The government has not yet commented on the request.

Maradona, a former Boca Juniors and Napoli forward who had battled alcohol and drug addiction for years, died in November 2020 of heart failure after undergoing brain surgery that month.

Argentines and the world mourn the death of the footballer who led the Tango team to the 1986 World Cup title and is considered one of the greatest players of all time.

Maradona's body is currently buried at Bella Vista cemetery on the outskirts of Buenos Aires after a day of mourning in which hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to express their sorrow and pay their respects to him.