The body of late soccer great Diego Maradona "must be conserved" in case his DNA is needed in a paternity case, an Argentine court has ruled.
Maradona died of a heart attack last month at the age of 60 and was buried on 26 November in a cemetery just outside Buenos Aires.
While Maradona's lawyer had previously told Reuters that DNA samples already exist, the court said the former Boca Juniors and Napoli player's body must not be cremated at some later date.
Five recognised children and six with filiation requests are part of a complex inheritance process in Argentina.
One of the six, Magalí Gil, 25, says she found out two years ago that the soccer icon was her biological father.
The ruling from the National Court of First Instance in Civil Matters No 56 also said: "Ms Gil requests that a study be carried out ... and that for this purpose the acting prosecutor's office send a DNA sample."
Maradona recognised four children in Argentina and one in Italy, which he fathered during his time as a player in the country.
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The soccer star was widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time before drug and alcohol addiction marred his career.
Beloved in his homeland after leading Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup, and adored in Italy after taking Napoli to two Serie A titles, Maradona was a uniquely gifted player and charismatic figure.
In the weeks prior to his death, he battled health issues and underwent emergency surgery for a subdural haematoma.
In Argentina, Maradona had long been worshipped as 'El Dios' - The God. The Argentine government declared three days of mourning after his death.
