Argentina's football association postponed all fixtures on Monday to mourn Pope Francis, an ardent fan of the game and supporter of Buenos Aires' San Lorenzo team.
"Argentine football says goodbye to you wrapped in deep sorrow," the Argentine Football Association said of the decision to delay games in his homeland by a day.
A minute's silence will be held at matches this week.
Born in Buenos Aires in 1936, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church died on Monday aged 88.
"Francis was not only a spiritual reference, but also a footballing one, and met with players, leaders and football legends, such as the captain of the Argentine national team Lionel Messi and Diego Armando Maradona," the association said.
"He never hid his passion for football and his unconditional love for San Lorenzo de Almagro," it added.
In a memoir, Francis spoke of Maradona's controversial "Hand of God" goal in Argentina's 1986 World Cup soccer quarter-final against England. When Maradona visited him at the Vatican years later, "I asked him, jokingly, 'So, which is the guilty hand?'" the pope recalled.
Related News
20 Apr, 2025
Business News | CAIT to Host National Co . . .
14 Jul, 2025
Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series 2025: Where to w . . .
11 Jul, 2025
What channel is Fiji v Scotland on? TV a . . .
28 Mar, 2025
IPL 2025: MS Dhoni 12 Sixes Away From Jo . . .
08 Aug, 2025
2025 NFC North Player Specials: What Wil . . .
10 May, 2025
Saginaw-area sports highlights: Hemlock . . .
29 Mar, 2025
Trump family tree: Meet Donald Trump's p . . .
02 Jul, 2025
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Golden Boot co . . .