Diego Maradona statue unveiled,  Lionel Messi pays tribute to legend 

A statue has been erected in Argentina in tribute to the late, great Diego Maradona.

The footballing legend passed away from a heart attack in November 2020 just two weeks after suffering a bleed on the brain – with his doctors facing 25 years in prison after police opened a murder investigation.

Argentina players watched on as a statue of Diego Maradona was unveiled ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Chile Credit: AFP

Diego Maradona has been immortalised in bronze following his death in November 2020 Credit: AFP

Argentina players including Lionel Messi wore shirts in tribute of Maradona, complete with the legend’s face and the words ‘1960-infinity’ to depict his timeless legacy credit: AFP

Argentina played their first game since the death of their national hero on Thursday night, taking on Chile in a World Cup qualifier.

And ahead of the match, a bronze statue of 1986 World Cup winner Maradona was unveiled outside the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero.

Argentina players gathered around the statue before the blue and white cover was ceremonially removed.

Argentina players also lined up wearing shirts in tribute to Maradona ahead of kick-off in the crunch game.

The squad all wore No10 shirts – famously Maradona’s number as a player – with a picture of the man himself across the chest.

Underneath Maradona’s picture were the words ‘1960-infinity’, to represent the icon’s never-ending legacy.

Messi posed with the president of the Argentine Football Association Claudio Tapia (middle), and the governor of Santiago del Estero Province, Gerardo Zamora, (right) after the unveiling Credit: AFP

The whole Argentina squad wore ‘Maradona 10’ jerseys before the game in tribute to the icon credit: AP