The first Cup without Maradona has Maradona, virtually. The eternal Argentine idol appears in Qatar inside an exhibition plane, the Tango D10S.
Recreated using artificial intelligence, the number 10 world champion in 1986 appears in uniform on a panel, inside a Bombardier CL-600-2B-16 Challenger 601, an executive jet all stamped in his honor.
The aircraft became a museum dedicated to the former player, who died aged 60 in November 2020.
The presentation is nothing new. It was shown for the first time in May this year, in Argentina, and taken to Qatar for the Maradona Fan Fest, an event filled with other references to the star.
On the plane, it is possible to interact with a virtual Diego, conceived with 3D footage and analysis of an eight-hour collection of images of the idol. His voice has also been recreated.
Asked what to expect from the Argentine national team in the 2022 World Cup, he responds. “That’s a good one. About the World Cup in Qatar… What can I tell you? See, when we were champions [em 1986], in the photo, I left a message. Didn’t you see her? Look for her, in her time.”
The image in question is of a smiling Maradona in the Mexican stadium that was the scene of the conquest, with the cup in his right hand and his left hand raised, curiously towards the flag of Qatar, hanging from the top of the arena.
The project is an initiative of the business group Give&Get and its executive director, Gastón Kolker, with the intervention of the artist Maximiliano Bagnasco.
The aircraft was hand-painted and received an image of Maradona kissing the cup on its fuselage, another iconic image of the conquest 36 years ago.
In addition to the predominant white and blue colors on the fuselage, the tail of the “Tango D10S” received, on one side, the image of Maradona’s face singing the Argentinean national anthem; on the other, a reproduction of the famous goal of the “hand of God”, the second in the victory against England by 2-1 in that World Cup.
In the farewell message of the simulator, Maradona asks the fans not to forget him, and says that Argentina deserves to win this Cup.
“Before I say goodbye, I would like to say that football is still the most beautiful and healthiest sport in the world. And yes, I’m not going to lie to you, I’m excited about the next World Cup like all of you. I hope football returns to make Argentines happy. I hope we can celebrate again like in 1986, we deserve it. And I ask you a favor: don’t forget me, because I carry you in my heart.”
Certainly the simulator wouldn’t have a very excited reaction from Maradona if it asked for a comment on the selection’s debut, when it lost to Saudi Arabia in the comeback. Luckily for the Argentines, another short left-hander with number 10 solved the second game (a 2-0 victory against Mexico, with a goal and an assist from Messi), which kept the team alive in the Cup.
Maradona was also honored in Qatar on Friday (25), the date that completed two years of his death. On the occasion, players from different eras were gathered, including several teammates from the 1986 title.
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