Argentine senator launches bid to put Maradona on country's bank notes

The shantytown kid who bewitched the world could replace Argentina's national bird, the Rufous hornero, on the country's 1,000-peso note.

Diego Maradona, who died in November after suffering a heart attack at age 60, is part of a campaign that may result in him being depicted on a banknote worth a little over $12.

The Argentine senator who presented the project to Congress on Monday is suggesting to feature Maradona's face on one side of the bill and a picture of one of his most famous goals on the other.

"The idea is not just to recognize our most important idol but also to think of the economic question," Durango said, according to Reuters' Andrew Downie. "We feel that when tourists come here they will want to take a 'Maradona' away with them."

It remains unclear which goal would appear on the 1,000-peso note but some Argentinians are reportedly uncomfortable with the idea of using an image of Maradona's "Hand of God" goal against England at the 1986 World Cup, as it could promote illegal practices.

Maradona's other goal from that match is another candidate: The 5-foot-5 attacker famously evaded four England outfield players on a speedy, weaving 60-yard run that culminated in what is widely known as the "Goal of the Century."

"The idea is to recognize Maradona, for good and for bad, who is the best known Argentine in the world," Durango continued. "I feel the project has got a great response even though some people don't agree with it."