Messi to headline Maradona 'match for peace' homage

Lionel Messi will headline a star-studded lineup for a 'match for peace' in tribute to fellow Argentina great Diego Maradona on November 14 in Rome, organisers announced on Monday. 

In addition to Messi, former Brazilian star Ronaldinho, Italian World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon and Roma's Portuguese coach José Mourinho confirmed their presence in a video published by the WEPLAYFORPEACE platform for the third edition of the "match for peace" organised by the Scholas Ocurrentes Foundation created by Pope Francis. 

The video was uploaded on October 10, to signify 10/10, in tribute to the number 10 shirt worn by Maradona during his career. His nickname was 'el Diez'. 

"I want to thank you for this opportunity to be here with the Pope and great players and friends. It is very important that each one of us joins the call for peace to make things change," said Messi.

Former World Cup winner Maradona died aged 60 of heart failure in November 2020. Maradona's five children – Dalma, Gianinna, Diego Junior, Jana and Diego Fernando – have also joined the tribute to their father.

The match will take place on November 14 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, less than a week before the start of the World Cup in Qatar. Those also featured in the video included Dani Alves, Luis Suárez, Ángel Di María, Ivan Rakitic and Maximiliano Rodríguez.

"It's a match for peace and a tribute to my dear friend Don Diego Armando Maradona. I invite everyone to be present," said Mourinho.

– TIMES/AFP