Buenos Aires, Argentina is a sprawling city full of a wide range of street art. By far, the most common recurring theme is the face of Diego Maradona. Born into poverty in the city in 1960, Diego grew up to become what many consider to be the best soccer player in the world, if one of the most controversial (there were ample drug-related scandals throughout his life). Known for aggressive play, epic stamina (he often played entire matches), as many fouls as goals, and elegant mastery of all aspects of the game Maradona is often compared to Pele and vice versa. Diego Maradona died on November 25, 2020 which led to a flurry of new images of him around town.
Diego Maradona Street Art in Buenos Aires
With the 2022 World Cup in full swing and to mark the 2-year anniversary of the legend’s death, here are our favorite examples of Diego Maradona street art in Buenos Aires. We’ve credited the artists whenever possible.
This epic artwork, by Martín Ron, is less than a month old and is the largest Maradona mural in the world covering a 14-story building.
This giant mural, by outstanding Buenos Aires muralists Alfredo Segatori, is entitled San Diego del Barrio de La Boca or Saint Diego of the Boca Neighborhood in a nod to Maradona’s many years as a player on the Boca Juniors team.
In 2019, we came across the paste-up art on the left depicting Salvador Dalí and Pelé. The Brazilian artist Luis Bueno recently updated the work replacing Dali with Maradona. The background in both versions is from the Buenos Aires paste-up artist Ale Giorgga.
Maradona’s number 10 jersey is as famous as he is and the number 10 is often incorporated into the spelling of Dios (God) as in the mosaic top left. Top left and bottom right by artist LasAya Casa Musivo.
The many faces of Maradona through the years. Artist: Marley Graffitis
Maradona played in his first World Cup in 1982. He ultimately played in a total of four World Cups. Artist: xoxuport/Martins Fontes
The paste-up on the far right says “It is not a handball” referring to Maradona’s controversial 1986 World Cup “Hand of God” goal.
Stencil artwork of Maradona in his Argentinos Juniors colors, the team he started with just shy of his 16th birthday. Artist: CARTOONEROS
In 1986, Maradona scored the controversial “Hand of God” goal in a World Cup match against England. He scored a second goal in that same match (the winning goal) and that’s now known as “The Goal of the Century”. Artist: Seba Cener
A Maradona mural in the San Telmo neighborhood.
Another depiction of Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal. Artist: Marley Graffitis
Maradona with his daughter.
A rare depiction of Maradona with the current heir to the throne, Lionel Messi. Artist: Marley Graffitis
Maradona scored 354 goals in the course of his career. Artist: Santiago Torrez
In 2000, Maradona was named FIFA Co-Player of the Century along with Pele.
Many places in Argentina claim some connection to Maradona, but possibly none more than the La Paternal neighborhood which is home to Maradona’s first team the Argentinos Juniors. Artist: Marley Graffitis
The La Paterna historical society building has various murals and sculptures of Maradona.
In 2022, the jersey Maradona was wearing when he scored the “Hand of God” goal was auctioned for $9.3 million.
Maradona mural in the Boca Juniors Museum.
At least six movies have been made about Maradona, legendary Number 10 and the player christened The Golden Child. Artist: Marley Graffitis
Here’s more about travel in Argentina
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