When is a hero a saint? Christian saints need at least one miracle to be recognised officially by the Pope, and sometimes it takes centuries to confirm this. Football heroes win their adulation a lot faster.
Saints and heroes
Youngsters, some barely twenty, are hailed as saints by their supporters for their sublime ability to pass the ball or to score the most amazing goals. Fans change the names of their heroes to reflect their new status: El Salvador (Saviour) Johan Cruijff, San (Saint) Marco van Basten, Messi(ah). Diego Maradona is god almighty: D plus his shirt number 10 spells DIOS. For some, a pair of Maradona’s football shorts or a Cruijff autograph has the kind of value that a relic of a saint had for mediaeval Christians.
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