The life of Diego Maradona was honored in a tribute featuring lights and projections on the pitch before Argentina's Copa America opener against Chile.
No fans were present at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro for the latest tribute to the Argentine football great organized by CONMEBOL.
Maradona died last November at the age of 60. The 3-minute video shared by CONMEBOL's social media channels had "Live is Life" by the opus as the soundtrack. It is the same song that famously heated up with Napoli ahead of the UEFA Cup semi-final against Bayern. Munich in 1989.
¡GRACIAS, DIEGO! 🙏
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 14, 2021
Emotivo homenaje al astro Diego Armando Maradona 🇦🇷 en la CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica 🏆
¡Eterno 🔟!#VibraElContinente pic.twitter.com/vHKGeXugKm
The tribute video featured a holographic one of Maradona kicking-up, while his shirt changed colors to represent all the teams he represented: Argentina Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla FC, Newell's Old Boys and Argentina.
It also includes images of some of Maradona's most representative moments; Talking about his desire to play in the World Cup as a kid; receiving the trophy from the President of Mexico in 1986; And his goals against England in that World Cup.
"We are paying our respects to one of the greatest players in history," CONMEBOL said in a statement.
Following Maradona's death last year, the governing body for South American football described him as "the greatest of all time", causing a stir in Brazil - where Maradona is also beloved, but Pele is considered superior.
The video tribute to Maradona was expected to take place in Argentina, but the country was removed as the tournament's host. Brazil was stepped down as an emergency host only two weeks ago, despite its alarming COVID-19 figures. The tribute ends with Maradona's speech while saying goodbye to Boca Juniors at La Bombonera Stadium in 2001.
Maradona then said, "May this party never end. May your love for me never end." The projection ends with the year of his birth and the infinity symbol.