Barcelona and Boca Juniors will play a friendly match in Saudi Arabia on December 14 to honour the late Diego Maradona, the Catalan club announced on Monday.
Maradona, who died in November last year after suffering a cardiac arrest at the age of 60, was one of the greatest footballers in history and spent successful spells at both Barca and Boca. He initially joined Boca in 1981, helping the club win the Argentine league title, before leaving for Barcelona for a then world record $5m deal in 1982. He later returned to Boca for a two-year stint in 1995 at the end of his career.
To commemorate the Argentine's lasting legacy at both clubs, Barca and Boca will meet at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, just over a year after his death.
Maradona spent two years at Barcelona, winning the Copa del Rey at the end of his first season, before moving to Italy with Napoli for another world record deal of $10.5m.
It was in Naples where Maradona stayed for the longest duration and where his achievements are best remembered, transforming the club into two-time Italian champions during his seven-year stint. Napoli have since renamed the stadium the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Maradona also famously led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup.
The match in Riyadh will be the second time Barcelona have played in Saudi Arabia having participated in the Spanish Super Cup in 2020. The Catalans will return to the kingdom less than a month after the Boca friendly to contest the 2022 Spanish Super Cup.
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In this file picture taken on June 29, 1986 Argentina's captain Diego Maradona kisses the World Cup after a 3-2 victory over West Germany at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City. Maradona is self-isolating after one of his bodyguards displayed symptoms of Covid-19. AFP -
In this file picture taken on May 20, 2008 former Argentinian football player Diego Maradona controls the ball as he poses during a photocall for Serbian director Emir Kusturica's film 'Maradona by Kusturica' at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. Maradona turns 60 on October 30, 2020. AFP -
In this file picture taken on January 16, 2009 Argentina's national football team coach Diego Maradona laughs during a press conference in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires. AFP -
In this file picture taken on November 29, 2018 Mexican second division football club Dorados' Argentine coach Diego Armando Maradona looks on before a match of the first round of the Final against Atletico San Luis at the Banorte stadium in Culiacan, Sinaloa State, Mexico. AFP -
In this file picture taken on December 1, 2017 Argentina's former footballer Diego Maradona poses on stage ahead of the 2018 World Cup draw at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow. AFP -
In this file picture taken on December 15, 2013 Napoli supporters wave a flag bearing a portrait of football legend Argentinian Diego Maradona during the Serie A football match against Inter Milan at San Paolo Stadium in Naples. AFP -
In this file picture taken on May 22, 1986 Argentine football star Diego Maradona, wearing a diamond earring, balances a ball on his head as he walks off the practice field following the national team's practice session in Mexico City. AFP -
In this file picture taken on December 6, 2008 Argentina's national team coach and former football star Diego Armando Maradona gestures as he attends a felicitation programme at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, India. AFP -
In this file picture taken on June 16, 2018 Argentina football legend Diego Maradona smokes a cigar as he attends the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Argentina and Iceland at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow. AFP -
In this March 7, 2020 file photo, Gimnasia y Esgrima coach Diego Maradona before a match against Boca Juniors. Reuters -
In this September 8, 2019 file photo, president of Gimnasia y Esgrima Gabriel Pellegrino and Diego Maradona during his presentation as new coach. Reuters -
In this file picture taken on November 6, 2001 former football star Diego Maradona answers questions during a press conference in Buenos Aires. AFP
