Iglesia Maradoniana

{{Short description|Parody religion centered around Diego Maradona}}

{{Infobox religion

| name = Iglesia Maradoniana (Church of Maradona)

| image = Maradona - grafiti.jpg

| imagewidth =

| alt = A stencil graffiti of Maradona running with the ball and the caption {{lang|es-AR|D10S ∃XISTE}}.

| caption = A Maradonian graffito.

| abbreviation = IM/CoM

| type = Christian-style movement

| main_classification =

| orientation = Sport-themed parody religion

| scripture = {{lang|es-AR|Yo soy el Diego de la gente}}{{cite web |url=http://edant.ole.com.ar/diario/2002/10/31/n-467150.htm |title=La Iglesia de Dios |accessdate=2016-11-13 |website=Diario Olé |language= es-AR|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114004028/http://edant.ole.com.ar/diario/2002/10/31/n-467150.htm |archivedate=2016-11-14}}

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| area = Argentina

| headquarters =

| founder = Héctor Campomar
Alejandro Verón
Hernán Amez

| founded_date = 30 October 1998

| founded_place = Rosario, Argentina

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}}

{{Diego Maradona series}}

The {{lang|es-AR|Iglesia Maradoniana}} (literally Church of Maradona or Maradonian Church) is a parody religion, created by fans of the late Argentine footballer Diego Maradona, whom they believe to be the greatest of all time.

The Church was founded on October 30, 1998 (Maradona's 38th birthday) in the city of Rosario, Argentina by three fans (Héctor Campomar, Alejandro Verón and Hernán Amez).{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebubble.com/church-of-maradona-worshipping-a-former-demi-god-with-unusual-athletic-abilities|title=Church of Maradona: Worshipping a (Former) Demi-God With Unusual Athletic Abilities|first=Myriam|last=Selhi|date=November 9, 2017|access-date=September 28, 2019|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127173010/https://www.thebubble.com/church-of-maradona-worshipping-a-former-demi-god-with-unusual-athletic-abilities|url-status=dead}} It could be seen as a type of syncretism or as a religion, depending on what religious definition one chooses to use. It was said by Alejandro Verón, one of the founders: "I have a rational religion and that's the Catholic Church and I have a religion passed on my heart and passion and that's Diego Maradona."{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} Supporters of the Church, supposedly from all parts of the world, count the years since Maradona's birth in 1960 with the era designation {{lang|es-AR|d. D.}} ({{Langx|es|después de Diego|lit=after Diego}}).

They also use {{lang|es-AR|D10S}} for Maradona since it fuses {{lang|es|Dios}} ("God") and 10, the number on Maradona's jersey.Vidal Bueno, Jorge. [http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/117064 Dios es argentino. Nacionalismo cultural argentino y Maradona]. Repositorio académico de la Universidad de Chile. Consulted on 11 October de 2016. The church has expanded to other countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Japan, Afghanistan, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay and the United States, among many others.[http://www.terra.com/deportes/articulo/html/fox63304.htm# Iglesia Maradoniana festeja cumpleaños de su 'dios']. Terra Networks.[http://www.kienyke.com/historias/amaras-maradona-sobre-todas-las-cosas/ Amarás a Maradona sobre todas las cosas] Revista KienyKe. Consultado el 23 de noviembre de 2016. In Spain, for example, it is believed that there are more than 9,000 followers.