Fake Peso Bill with image of Diego Maradona

I am talking about none other than the football legend Diego Maradona.Despite being considered as one of the sport’s most controversial and newsworthy figures,his fans think of him as a God and have a church  made for him.

Diego Armando Maradona (born 30 October 1960 in Lanús, Buenos Aires) is a former Argentine football player, and current coach of the Argentine national side.FIFA conducted a fan poll on the Internet in 2000, to elect the Player of the Century. Maradona finished top of the poll with 53.6% of the vote.Subsequently, however, and contrary to the original announcement of how the award would be decided, FIFA appointed a “Football Family” committee of football experts that voted to award Pelé the title. Maradona protested at the change in procedure, and declared he would not attend the ceremony if Pelé replaced him. Eventually, two awards
were made, one to each of the pair.Ever since 1986, it is common for Argentines abroad to hear Maradona’s name as a token of recognition, even in remote places. The Tartan Army sing a version of the Hokey Cokey in honour of the Hand of God goal against England. In Argentina, Maradona is often talked about in terms reserved for legends.

But the thing that has mad him god follows. In Rosario city, Argentina, fans organized the “Church of Maradona.” Maradona’s 43rd birthday in 2003 marked the start of the Year 43 D.D. – “Después de Diego” or After Diego – for its founding 200 members. Tens of thousands more have become members via the church’s official web site.His fans have also released fake Peso Bills with his images on it.A mock Argentine peso bill with the image of former Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona is shown by a member of The Hand of God church, which honors Maradona, during the celebration of Maradona’s birthday in a Buenos Aires restaurant, early October 30, 2008.
Though He has always been associated with drugs and cocaine abuse. He allegedly began using the drug in Barcelona in 1983.18 April 2004, doctors reported that Maradona had suffered a major heart attack following a cocaine overdose; he was admitted to intensive care in a Buenos Aires hospital. Scores of fans gathered around the clinic.8 May 2007, Maradona appeared on Argentine television and stated that he had quit drinking and had not used drugs in two and a half years. After overcoming his cocaine addiction, he became a popular TV host in Argentina. Despite being surrounded by so many controversies his fan following is ever increasing.

In 2001, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) asked FIFA for authorization to retire the jersey number 10 for Maradona. FIFA did not grant the request, even though Argentine officials have maintained that FIFA hinted that it would.Maradona has won other fan polls,including a 2002 FIFA poll in which his second goal against England was chosen as the best goal ever scored in a World Cup; he also won the most votes in a poll to determine the All-Time Ultimate World Cup Team.