Didn’t Diego Maradona once kick an orange around these very streets? Villa Fiorito might seem like any other suburb of Buenos Aires. Yet, it holds a special place in the hearts of Argentinians. This is because it was the childhood home of a football legend.
Villa Fiorito is located in the Lomas de Zamora Partido. It is south of central Buenos Aires. This city is part of the Greater Buenos Aires urban area. Many people of Italian and Spanish descent call Villa Fiorito home. In recent years, people from other provinces have moved here, seeking opportunities near the capital.
Maradona’s spirit still echoes throughout Villa Fiorito. Even years after his death, his image adorns many walls. Murals of Maradona can be found on houses and sports clubs. These images are reminders of his impact on the community.
Cristian Bustos, a lifelong resident, believes Maradona lives on in the people of Villa Fiorito. Bustos works at the Fiorito Cultural Centre. He says that those born in Fiorito understand the struggle to succeed. They identify with Maradona’s fight against power.
Villa Fiorito has seen changes since Maradona’s childhood. Electricity and running water are now available. There have also been some beautification projects. A former rubbish dump is now a grass-covered plaza. The dirt pitch where Maradona honed his skills is now covered with houses.
Laura Fleitas has worked at Maradona’s primary school since 1998. She notes its importance to the community. Maradona’s grandmother and godmother both worked at the school. His grandmother was a cook. They were very well-known in the neighborhood.
Claudio Villarruel’s father co-founded Estrellas Unidas. This is the Fiorito football club where Maradona first played. It was originally known as Estrellas Rojas. The club started small. It operated from residents’ kitchen tables. Later, it established a clubhouse near Maradona’s home.
Osvaldo Villarruel remembers a young Maradona dancing around older boys with a football. Sometimes, they sent him away. Claudio Villarruel now serves as the club’s secretary general.
The club celebrated Maradona’s birthday with a barbecue and party. Musicians, artists, relatives, and former teammates attended. They inaugurated a street sign with Maradona’s name.
Maradona’s defiance resonated with many. He challenged US imperialism and the wealth of The Vatican. He also spoke out against the increasing poverty in Argentina.
Despite some improvements, Villa Fiorito still faces challenges. Part of the area lacks a sewage system. Poverty remains a significant issue.
Maradona’s childhood home has become a shrine. Fans leave flags and flowers outside. The house is not open to the public. It is said that Maradona’s mother gave the property away.
Bustos feels more could be done to preserve Fiorito’s connection to Maradona. He believes it could boost the local economy. He focuses on creative outlets for the community. He collaborates with muralists to add color to the streets.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, they created an “open sky gallery”. These murals were dedicated to those who died from the disease. Bustos says they turned pain into something colorful.
Maradona may be gone, but his legacy endures. His spirit continues to inspire the people of Villa Fiorito.
Gustavo Horacio Insaurralde works near a large mural of Maradona. He collects cardboard for a living. Each bag of cardboard represents the bread he brings home to his family.
Insaurralde remembers Maradona’s magic on the field. He acknowledges Maradona’s flaws. Yet, he emphasizes the joy Maradona brought to people. Maradona lifted the jersey up high. That image is forever etched in the memories of Villa Fiorito.