On the same day Lionel Messi paid tribute to the late great Diego Maradona, New England Revolution Designated Player Gustavo Bou also honored the Argentine legend after scoring a first-half goal in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Orlando City SC Sunday.
Bou, born in Concordia, Argentina, previously played for Gimnasia, the club Maradona was managing before his death. Following his goal, Bou laid down an Argentine flag, knelt, pointed skyward and then kissed the flag. Bou, who also scored in the second half of New England's 3-1 win, wore a training top with Maradona and his famed No. 10 on the back during pregame.
"I think everyone in the world of football was hurt and saddened by Maradona’s death," Bou said after the match. "I wanted to pay homage to Maradona. I hope he sees it and I’m sure he saw it because he loved the sport. He’s a reason why a lot of people in Argentina love this sport as well.”
Maradona was also remembered in a touching pregame message at Exploria Stadium before the start of the match.
In the second Eastern Conference Semifinal on Sunday, the Columbus Crew's two Argentine players, Lucas Zelarayan and Milton Valenzuela, held a Crew jersey with Maradona's name and iconic number prior to kickoff during a moment of remembrance for the 1986 World Cup winner.
