More than 200 people gathered in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District to witness the unveiling of the mural “Heroes of ’86,” the first in the United States dedicated to the historic Argentina national team that won the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.
The mural is located at 235 NW 25th St, Miami, and was inaugurated with an emotional ribbon-cutting ceremony led by World Cup champions Sergio Batista and Ricardo Giusti, who were visibly moved to see the legacy of that legendary team brought to life through urban art.
The ceremony was also attended by the Consul General of Argentina in Miami, Marcelo Guilardoni, and Paraguayan artist Lili Cantero, the creator of the mural.
The artwork pays tribute to the team led by Diego Armando Maradona, which lifted the World Cup trophy at the Estadio Azteca in 1986, and is part of a broader initiative called “Heroes of ’86,” a project that brings the World Cup champions together once again to preserve their legacy.
A mural that celebrates history, football, and community
The event brought together fans, journalists, football collectors, and members of the Latin community in Miami, who gathered to take photos with the champions, sign jerseys, and hear stories from the historic Argentine squad.
The work by Lili Cantero, known for blending art and football across different formats such as boots, balls, and murals, now becomes part of the cultural landscape of Wynwood, widely regarded as one of the most important open-air urban art museums in the world.
The mural celebrates not only the World Cup title but also the collective spirit of the team coached by Carlos Bilardo, which left a lasting mark on international football.
The “Heroes of ’86” project and the champions’ wines
The unveiling also marked the presentation in the United States of the project’s official wines: “Heroes” and “La Final“
Two labels created by the World Cup champions themselves as a way to keep the legacy of that historic team alive.
The wines were developed by renowned winemaker Richard Bonvin of Mendoza Vineyards, part of the international Origin Wines group, property of Bernard Fontannaz, and connected to the prestigious winery Finca La Anita, located in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, one of Argentina’s most recognized wine regions.
Both wines are from the 2018 vintage:
La Final
- 100% Malbec from Agrelo
Heroes (Red Blend):
- 50% Cabernet Franc
- 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 10% Petit Verdot
The project was initiated by Oscar Ruggeri together with wine entrepreneur Jorge del Valle, with the goal of creating a product that represents the values of the championship team.
Today, the initiative brings together several members of the 1986 World Cup squad, including:
- Sergio Batista
- Ricardo Giusti
- Jorge Burruchaga
- Nery Pumpido
- Héctor Enrique
- Oscar Ruggeri
- Carlos Tapia
- Oscar Garré
It also includes members of the coaching staff, masseurs, assistants, and the families of team members who are no longer with us, such as José Luis “Tata” Brown, José Cuciuffo, and Diego Maradona.
A solidarity fund for the World Champions
Beyond the tribute, the project has a clear social impact mission.
Part of the revenue generated by the wines “Heroes” and “La Final” is allocated to a shared fund created by the 1986 World Cup champions, designed to provide financial assistance to former players, staff members, and collaborators who may need support in the future.
As the champions themselves explain, the spirit of the project is rooted in the value that defined that team:
Team before everything.
Where to find the wines in Florida
The wines are already available in several locations across US.
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