Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
Diego Maradona has said he “saw Messi crying in the shower” after a defeat with Argentina and claims he is “a regular guy who scored a goal against the English who were killing our kids in the Falklands War”.
Maradona, 59, made the comments in an interview with Argentine sports channel TyC Sports in which he also said Alfredo Di Stefano was the greatest footballer of all time.
Maradona went on to talk about a story he shared with Messi during his time managing Argentina saying: “I would never face up against Messi. He is as much an idol to me as he is for Benja, 10, (Maradona’s grandson and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero’s son).
“I am his friend. I saw him crying in the shower when we lost 4-0 to Germany (in the 2010 South Africa World Cup) while many players were already looking for flights back home.”
Maradona also made a reference to his ‘Hand of God’ goal saying: “I am a regular guy who scored a goal against the English who were killing our kids in the Falklands War.
“Everybody knows this thanks to the stories grandfathers tell fathers and fathers tell their sons. But I am absolutely a regular guy.”
When speaking about who he thinks is the best footballer of all time Maradona said: “I think Di Stefano was superior to everyone, including me.
“Pele did not want to recognise Di Stefano. Pele’s friends made up a trophy for him as a living legend in football. I beat Pele as the greatest in history in Rio.”
Di Stefano was an Argentine second striker widely considered as one of the best in history. He is mostly known for his time at Real Madrid helping them win five consecutive European Champion Clubs cups between the 1955/1956 and 1959/1960 seasons.
Maradona is currently the manager of top-flight Argentine club Gimnasia Esgrima-La Plata and has recently confirmed his plans to stay after he nearly left due to changes in the club’s front office.
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