Diego Maradona Leads Group of Retired Soccer Stars Honoring Pope Francis

(Before It's News)

Former greats such as Diego Armando Maradona, Roberto Baggio, Diego Simeone, Carlos Valderrama and Ivan Zamorano put on a show here Monday at an interfaith charity match inspired by Pope Francis, an avid soccer fan.

The team named for the pope’s Scholas educational project lost 6-3 to a squad representing retired Argentine soccer player Javier Zanetti’s Pupi Foundation.

“Good evening, I am delighted that you are gathered to celebrate this very symbolic match, where what stands out is the union of the teams, the union of those who are participating as spectators and the desire of everyone for peace,” the Argentine pontiff said in a message appearing on the big screens at Rome’s Olympic stadium prior to kickoff.

Francis received the players at the Vatican earlier Monday.

The 53-year-old Maradona, who played the entire 90 minutes, wowed the crowd with a perfect pass to set up Baggio’s goal in the 41st minute.

Besides stars of yesteryear, the match featured current standouts such as Andrea Pirlo, Samuel Eto’o, Gianluigi Buffon, Andriy Shevchenko, Roque Santa Cruz, Gabriel Heinze and Javier Mascherano.

Published in Latino Daily News

• Has Your State taken any Steps to Reclaim Your State Sovereign Land from the Federal Government? Why not?
• NSA: ¡Hay un espía en mi sopa!
• GaiaPortal 9-1-14… “Stationaries have released, as incoming Golden Light infuses the planet”
• Great Pyramid 3D Electromagnetic Power Plant Walkthrough
• Famous Cardiac Surgeons Stories of Near Death Experiences During Surgery
• The Real Story of Comet Elenin and NASAs Astonishing Visit to Vesta ~ by Richard C Hoagland
• The Real Men in Black, Hollywood and the Great UFO Cover-up
• Findings of 10 Scientific Studies That Will Increase Your Faith In Humanity
• Jimmy Carter Promotes Sharia for the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
• Forget FaceBook – Try Seen!