Argentine football legend, Diego Maradona has landed an ambassadorial role with football’s world governing body, FIFA.
“Yes, it’s now official. I can finally fulfill one of the dreams of my life, to work for a clean and transparent FIFA, with people who love football.” Maradona said in a post on his official Facebook page
A FIFA spokesperson said: “We are looking for the best way to collaborate with Diego Armando Maradona, ensuring he has a major role in FIFA activities to promote the game across the globe, through his involvement in relevant development projects and the FIFA Legends’ programme.”
New Argentina coach meets with Messi but Maradona thinks he won't rescind retirement decision.
While the
football world is prevailing on Lionel Messi to rescind his decision to retire
from the Argentina National team, fellow compatriot, Diego Maradona doesn’t see
that happening. The phenomenal striker announced his retirement from international duty in June 2016 after missing a crucial penalty causing his country to lose to Chile in
the Copa America; their third major final defeat in many years.
football world is prevailing on Lionel Messi to rescind his decision to retire
from the Argentina National team, fellow compatriot, Diego Maradona doesn’t see
that happening. The phenomenal striker announced his retirement from international duty in June 2016 after missing a crucial penalty causing his country to lose to Chile in
the Copa America; their third major final defeat in many years.
Former Sao Paulo manager Edgardo Bauza, who replaced Gerardo Martino as
the country’s head coach met with the football star in Spain to discuss his
future but details on what went down is yet to gain traction.
the country’s head coach met with the football star in Spain to discuss his
future but details on what went down is yet to gain traction.
The 5-time Ballon d’Or winner openly criticised the Argentina Football
Federation days after calling time on his international career and Maradona
thinks the governing body has made matters worse.
Federation days after calling time on his international career and Maradona
thinks the governing body has made matters worse.
The former captain told Radio La Red “I think Messi is going to say no
to Bauza. This is my thinking. Maybe I’m wrong.”
to Bauza. This is my thinking. Maybe I’m wrong.”
He continued, “We are very bad. We run the risk of not
going to Qatar. I’ve never seen such weak leadership. What
happened with Messi exposes what’s been going on for a lifetime. How is
it that the families of the [AFA] leaders are more comfortable than the
players?”
going to Qatar. I’ve never seen such weak leadership. What
happened with Messi exposes what’s been going on for a lifetime. How is
it that the families of the [AFA] leaders are more comfortable than the
players?”
Those who criticise Messi have never kicked a ball – Maradona
Argentina legend, Diego Maradona has urged his compatriots to allow Lionel Messi enjoy his holiday. Shortly after Argentina lost to Chile at the Copa America final, the Barcelona player announced his retirement from international football, a decision that has left many shocked and pained till date. Appeals to have him reconsider his retirement are still ongoing especially in his country but the 29-year-old is yet to broach the topic again.
Maradona who also urged the striker to rescind his decision said in an interview with La Red on Wednesday said the world’s best footballer’s decision should be respected.
“Messi is telling us to stop busting his balls. With this Messi has told us ‘I am going on holidays, leave me alone and when you call me, I’ll think about it. I don’t want to talk about this anymore’. I think it’s great.
“These days everyone is a coach, everyone is a penalty-taker. No, it’s not like this. I see that people are meeting to talk about the subject, and I hear people who in their life have kicked one f**king ball and now they dare talk about football.
“Now when I see people talk about it, I change [the channel]. That’s it, it’s happened. We can’t go back. We have to construct a unified idea with Messi, but if he says no then we still have to put out a team on the pitch.”
Photos: Pele and Maradona end feud in paris
Soccer legends, Pele and Maradona’s long-time feud came to an end yesterday after the pair met and hugged at a promotional match ahead of the Euro 2016 tournament.
Maradonna told the audience, “I want to thank Pele, we know who he is and who he will always be. We need icons like him,”
“The most important is the message of peace. Many thanks to my friend Maradona for this opportunity and a big round of applause to the players who have been here today. This is a moment of peace.” Pele added.
Brazil 2014: Maradona disagrees with Messi's award, says it was a marketing strategy
Who’s surprised by this statement? Argentine legend Diego Maradona, while speaking during a TV programme affirmed that Lionel Messi didn’t deserve the Golden Ball award at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He said the prize should have gone to Colombia’s James Rodriguez.
“I would give heaven and earth to Leo, but when marketing people want him to win something he didn’t deserve to win, it is unfair. I could see that he didn’t want to go up and collect it. We raised our flag high, there’s no doubt about that. Germany won due to a misunderstanding in the defence but at no point were they better than us. They showed us a lot of respect, and our lads earned that out on the pitch.”