My dream rests in Hands of God

Phew, what a week that was! One of the most emotional ones of my life. There were more changes than I could handle, including moving cities and leaving behind too many friends. If that wasn't enough, dealing with worries about the qualification of Ivory Coast and Argentina for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa saw me at my emotional worst.

I've had to pack my bags and move thousands of kilometers north. Mumbai can be one of the hardest cities to leave. It was intimidating when I first came here six years back. But today, I feel more at home in its squalid lanes than anywhere else in the world.
In Mumbai, I grew to care about Indian football. Before that, the game was all about the Premier League, Jose Mourinho and Brazil.

It was at the Cooperage football ground that I first heard the thump of Baichung Bhutia's boots meeting the ball. The sound of the perfect kick can be as sweet as the ball meeting the middle of Sachin Tendulkar's bat.

It was in Mumbai that I realised Indian footballers don't just dream of a financially secure future but believe that great things are possible. They live in hope, not in desperation. And some of them, I honestly believe, are good enough to compete at the world level.

It wasn't just the goodbyes that were painful. Maradona really played havoc with my nerves and it was Didier Drogba who calmed them. Some months back, dear reader, I got lucky with the World Cup tickets for South Africa. I had applied for the T7 series, which gives the tickets of the team of your choice from the group stages onwards to the final. If your team loses in between, then you get the match ticket of the team that's beaten them.

I had applied for the T7 tickets of Ivory Coast, because of the love I have for Drogba and also because, in the first round, my application for Brazil and Argentina tickets was rejected. The validity of my tickets was subject to Ivory Coast's qualification for the tournament. And Drogba didn't let me down.

Ivory Coast qualified top of Group E in the African qualification after a 1-1 draw against Malawi. Drogba came off the bench to score the equaliser just two minutes after his introduction and helped secure my nerves and a second successive World Cup trip for the West Africans.

Maradona's appointment as Argentina coach was another reason I couldn't have missed this World Cup. However, their trip to South Africa almost got cancelled after losses to Brazil (1-3) and Paraguay (0-1).

But they've come through with wins over Peru (2-1) and Uruguay (1-0). Yet, Maradona's future as coach doesn't look secure. It's highly unlikely that the Argentina football association will trust the eccentric genius to lead the team in South Africa after the qualification fiasco. What can I say! My dream now rests in the Hands of God.

Brazil qualify for World Cup

Brazil qualified for its 19th consecutive World Cup, leaving Argentina to join Portugal and France with difficult paths to reach next year's tournament.

Defending champion Italy and European champion Spain maintained their leads in Europe, while England and Germany won friendlies ahead of qualifiers on Wed-nesday. And in Africa, Cameroon boosted their chances with their first victory in the final round of qualifying.

Luisao put Brazil ahead in the 24th minute at Rosario, Argentina, and Luis Fabiano scored in the 30th and 67th. Jesus Datolo scored in the 65th for Argentina, which will be under pressure to remove coach Diego Maradona.

Brazil lead South American qualifying with 30 points, three ahead of Chile and Paraguay and eight in front of Argentina with three matches remaining. The top-four teams advance to the World Cup while the No. 5 nation goes to a play-off against the No. 4 nation in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Brazil became the seventh nation to join host South Africa in next year's 32-nation field, following Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and the Netherlands.

Argentina lost a home qualifier for the first time since a 5-0 defeat to Colombia in 1993.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the FIFA player of the year, is in danger of missing the World Cup after Portugal needed a last-minute goal by Liedson for a 1-1 draw against Denmark. Nicklas Bendtner gave the Danes the lead in the 41st minute.

Group One

Denmark lead Group One with 17 points, four ahead of Hungary, which lost 2-1 at home to Sweden when Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in injury time. Sweden are third with 12 points and Portugal have 10 heading into Wednesday's game against Hungary. The top team qualifies from each of the nine European groups and the best eight second-place teams go to play-offs.

France likely will have to win a play-off for a World Cup berth after a disappointing 1-1 tie with Romania at Saint-Denis.

France looked in control after Thierry Henry's 48th-minute goal, but defender Julien Escude turned the ball past his goalkeeper Hugo Llorisslid while attempting to intercept a cross seven minutes later.

"The objective is to qualify, no matter how we get there. I'm not in the habit of giving up," France coach Raymond Domenech said. "There's still everything to play for, nothing is finished yet. It will go down to the last game."

Les Bleus are second in Group Seven with 14 points, four behind Serbia heading into their meeting at Belgrade on Wednesday.

The Czech Republic played to a 2-2 draw at Slovakia, which could qualify for their first major tournament. Substitute forward Milan Baros headed in his 34th international goal in the 84th minute for the Czechs.

Slovakia heads Group Three with 16 points, two ahead of Northern Ireland. The Czechs are fifth with nine.

At Tblisi, Georgia captain Kakha Kaladze - who plays for AC Milan - headed two own goals in the 57th and 67th, giving Italy a 2-0 victory over Georgia.

Muhammad Ali beats Bradman to title of greatest sportsman

ormer World Heavyweight Boxing champion Muhammad Ali, 67, has been named the greatest sports star by Australia's No 1 sporting magazine Alpha.

Ali's record in professional boxing's most competitive era has seen him get the nod ahead of cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Diego Maradona rounded out the top five, reports The Herald Sun.

"Ali was an unbelievably skilful, clever boxer who was involved in some of the biggest fights of the 20th century," Alpha editor Heath Kelly said.

"Away from the ring, Ali's impact was just as great - from his rapid-fire tongue, to his stance against the Vietnam war, to lighting the Atlanta Olympic torch when visibly affected by Parkinsons, he captured the public imagination like no athlete in history," Kelly added.

Alpha's top 10
1. Muhammad Ali
2. Sir Donald Bradman
3. Michael Jordan
4. Tiger Woods
5. Diego Maradona
6. Rod Laver
7. Pele
8. Roger Federer
9. Carl Lewis
10. Lance Armstrong

Ferguson says Ronaldo can emulate Pele and Maradona

Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo has the potential to become as great a player as Pele or Diego Maradona, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said on Saturday.

"The expectations are always so high with Cristiano because of his rise in the last two or three years since we got him as a young kid," Ferguson told a news conference on the eve of his side's Club World Cup final against Ecuador's LDU .

"He scored 42 goals last season -- his goal-scoring is the one area which for a wide player Cristiano is absolutely superb.

"Pele scored in a World Cup final as a 17-year-old and Maradona played for his country at 17. Cristiano was 18 so the signs are the same."

Ferguson's lavish praise comes during the latest war of words between United and Spanish giants Real Madrid over the future of the Ballon d'Or winner.

"His ability with two feet is tremendous," purred Ferguson. "You would never associate it with a Portuguese winger but he is absolutely magnificent in the air.

"He's 23 now and still a very young lad but there's a lot of things in his favour to go on and prove himself as a legend."

Ronaldo was among the scorers in United's 5-3 win over Japan's Gamba Osaka in Thursday's Club World Cup semi-final but was overshadowed by two goals from substitute Wayne Rooney.

Diego Maradona fulfils dream

It was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream for Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday morning.

And in the sunny happiness of the moment, he threw caution to the winds, forgave Kolkatans for their unruly behaviour the day before to come down on to the road and
wave kisses at the huge crowd waiting to catch a glimpse of him since morning.

Maradona had a desire to be blessed by Mother Teresa. But since this wish could not be fulfiled, he made it his prime goal to visit the Mother House, headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by her. Sister Christie from the Mother House told DNA that Maradona did not leave any special message but lit a candle and prayed at the chapel in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary and Mother Teresa.

Bhaswar Goswami, executive director of Celebrity Management Group which is managing the entire two-day “show”, said that the legendary footballer has pledged gifts to children which will be delivered later by the company on his behalf. The nuns presented him with the ‘Mother’s medals and pictures and prayer cards’.

Maradona looked a trifle tired and word spread that he was unwell. Hotel doctors were quick to check him up and diagnosed it as exhaustion. He had travelled 32 hours and had been on the move non-stop after arrival in the city.

Later in the afternoon, he met former chief minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu at his residence where he said: “Anyone who is a friend of Fidel Castro is a friend of mine. Since you are his friend, you are my friend too.”

Pele: Great players do not usually make great coaches

Brazilian football legend Pele made clear his scepticism as to the likelihood that Diego Maradona might be successful as coach of Argentina's senior team.

"Great stars, great players do not usually make good coaches. And sometimes a footballer that was not so brilliant in his career becomes a great coach," Pele noted, in comments that Brazilian media published Thursday.

Pele and Maradona are regarded as the two great candidates for the title of the best football players in history.

"I hope everything goes well for him. For him it is just another chance to get over everything he faced," the Brazilian said of Maradona's past drug problems.

According to Pele, Maradona would do well to follow the advice of experienced coach Carlos Bilardo, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title and will now be part of Argentina's managing team under Maradona.

"Bilardo knows football very well. If Maradona listens to Bilardo, he will have a great adviser and then everything can work out well. Maradona can learn a lot, should he want to," Pele said.

Diego Maradona in ‘Mother House’

Football legend Diego Maradona visited Missionaries of Charity Headquarters ''Mother House'', in Kolkata today.

Maradona said earlier that he had accepted the invitation to come to the city because he had a keen interest in seeing first hand the place where Mother Teresa had lived and worked.

Maradona accompanied by his girl friend was greeted by the Sisters of Missionaries of Charity (MOC) and later taken to Mother Teresa''s Tomb.

A huge crowd had gathered outside the Mother House to catch a glimpse of the football great and the newly appointed coach of the Argentina national football team.

Missionaries of Charity headquarters in Kolkata has got due recognition from world celebrities like Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and now Diego Maradona.

On his trip to Kolkata, Maradona is scheduled to meet veteran communist leader Jyoti Basu .

He will also visit the Mohun Bagan football Club to watch a match at the club grounds later.

Acts of terrorism barbaric: Maradona

Soccer legend Diego Maradona on Saturday described terrorism as barbaric and said common people shy away from protesting as they fear for their life.

"Some groups are taking lives of others. I think such acts are barbaric," Maradona told mediapersons when asked about his message against terrorism.

"I think common people cannot protest against act of terrorism as it is life-threatening," said the 48-year-old soccer great, who is on his first visit to India.

"They (terrorists) shouldn't do it," Maradona said.

The Argentine soccer coach's comments came 10 days after the devastating terrorist strike on India's commercial capital Mumbai left 172 people killed and the entire world shell-shocked.

Related Topics
Soccer King Diego Maradona's Photos
Soccer King Diego Maradona's Kolkata Tour Photos

Maradona lays foundation stone of football school

Soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday said he was surprised by the response of the crazy fans who thronged in thousands to have a glimpse of him as he laid the foundation stone of a football school at Maheshtala in South 24 Parganas district.

Blowing kisses in the air and waving to the crowd, the 48-year-old Argentine, dressed in a grey shirt and matching trouser, said he had not anticipated that his two-day visit would evoke such a huge response.

"I had no idea that football enjoyed so much fan following in this part of the world far from my home in South America," the soccer star said.

"My country is far from here, but I never knew I have so many fans here," he said as the crowd kept shouting 'Diego, Diego'.

The the soccer icon spoke to reporters for just two minutes in Spanish with the help of an interpreter.

The Indian Football School is being developed by the Maheshtala Municipality in collaboration with a private company.

Maradona, who led Argentina to World Cup triumph in 1986, had flown into the eastern metropolis in the wee hours today to a tumultuous welcome.

In a cheerful mood, with girl friend Veronica by his side, the legend signed autographs for children and shook hands with fans.

Related Topics
Soccer King Diego Maradona's Photos
Soccer King Diego Maradona's Kolkata Tour Photos

Diego Maradona's kolkata tour - Photos

Football icon Diego Armando Maradona blows a kiss to his fans at Maheshtala in Kolkata on Saturday where he also laid the foundation stone of the Indian Football School.

The former Argentina captain arrived to a rousing welcome at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose airport by thousands of frenzied fans who remained awake till past mid night waving Argentina's national flag of white and sky blue.

Euphoric scenes were witnessed at the airport as the Lufthansa flight touched down at around 1:30 am on Saturday and the 48-year old football legend, who had turned up in four FIFA World Cup tournaments for Argentina, emerged after almost a 36-hour journey.

The crowd chanted 'Diego, Diego' as the convoy rolled on.

The nimble-footed football wizard is slated to attend a host of programmes for the next two days, beginning with the stone-laying function of the Indian Football School (IFS).

Maradona would next visit the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, 11 years after the passing of the "apostle of peace", like other foreign dignitaries including former US President Bill Clinton.

In the afternoon, the Argentine will proceed to Yuba Bharati Krirangan (YBK) at Salt Lake where an exhibition match between Chief Minister's XI and External Affairs Ministry XI has been organised.

The Argentine soccer legend will also conduct a football clinic at the Mohun Bagan ground in Kolkata for Under-12 boys on Sunday.

This will be yet another honour for the 119-year-old city outfit, which raised nationalist spirits during the freedom struggle against British rule by becoming the first ever Indian club to win the IFA Shield in 1911.

In a cheerful mood, with girl friend Veronica by his side, the legend signed autographs for children and shook hands with fans.

"Maradona is God to us. Till now we have just heard about him. By seeing him in person we are blessed," gushed an admirer just after catching a glimpse of the legend.

Maradona would be showered with gifts, among which are golden replica of the stadium, and a left foot with a football.

The entire trip will cost a whopping Rs 11 crore and is being organised by Shamik Lahiri, event manager Celebrity Management Group (CMG), and the state government.


Related Topics
Soccer King Diego Maradona's Photos

Maradona mania sweeps Kolkata

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit - his first to West Bengal after the Mumbai terror strikes - is set to recede to the background on popularity count, as Kolkatans brace up to give a rousing welcome to "God of football" Diego Maradona during his two-day visit on Saturday.

Singh's visit to Santiniketan and Malda, that coincides with that of the Argentinian soccer legend, has failed to evoke much popular curiosity, with the denizens making a mad scramble for entry passes to the series of programmes Maradona is scheduled to attend.

More than 100,000 football fans are expected to assemble Saturday at the Salt Lake Stadium, where Maradona would be given a felicitation 'worth remembering for years', with former soccer stars and eminent persons from other walks of life filling up the stands alongside commoners

Maradona, the most high-profile non-political visitor to the country after last week's terror attacks stunned the nation, arrives in the city in the wee hours Saturday, to a grand welcome by 25,000 people holding torches and lining the route from the NSC Bose International Airport to the hotel.

A makeshift podium has been erected outside the airport terminal for Maradona to wave at the thousands assembled there.

"But it's up to him to decide," said state sports minister Subhas Chakraborty.

Kolkata, India's soccer hub, is sure to sleep late Friday to have the first glimpse of the hero of Argentina's 1986 World Cup victory alighting on their home turf.

From the airport, the soccer star would be put onto a specially made bus, with giant sized windows, so that the people can see him.

Such is the craze that a sculptor from Asansol - about 206 km from the city - has made a statue of wax of the man jointly adjudged FIFA's best footballer of the 20th century alogn with Brazilian Pele.

"I started work only on Nov 14. It will be presented to Maradona," said sculptor Sushanta Roy.

"Maradona has faced lot of injustice. So, there is a lot of public sympathy for him," said Chakraborty.

On Saturday morning, Maradona would begin his schedule by flying out in a helicopter to the facility of one of the sponsors before laying the foundation stone of the Maradona Indian Football School at Mahestala, 13 km south of the city.

Maradona, accompanied by his girlfriend Veronica, would also be felicitated at Maheshtala before returning to his hotel for a media meet which would be followed by the felicitation at the giant Salt Lake Stadium in the afternoon.

"It will be a programme worth remembering for years. Don't miss the start and the end," said Chakraborty.

Maradona would kickstart a match between Foreign Minister's XI and Chief Minister's XI, where players turning out for various teams would take part. Among those seen in action would Bhaichung Bhutia ans Jose Barreto.

Later, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee would inaugurate the felicitation proper.

Maradona would be showered with gifts, among which are golden replica of the stadium, and a left foot with a football.

He would also go around the stadium in the bus, before the function concludes with a pyrotechnic display.

On Saturday, Maradona would visit Mother House, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa. He would call on former state chief minister and communist patriarch Jyoti Basu at his Salt Lake residence.

Maradona would conduct a soccer clinic at the Mohun Bagan ground later in the day, before wrapping up his visit with a charity dinner at the hotel. Five jerseys and footballs autographed by the soccer megastar would come under the hammer at the dinner, the proceeds of which would go to the IFS.

Kolkata speaks the language of Maradona

Kolkata is speaking the language of the ‘God’ of football.

The Spanish term for saying welcome is painted all across the City, which is swelling in enthusiasm to receive one of most admired deities in the sport’s pantheon Diego Maradona.

Pele’s visit more than three decades ago brought out thousands on the streets. There is definitely going to be a multiplication of the multitude when football’s greatest magician of the modern times sets his foot in the City.

The words of India’s own footballing heroes’ from the times when the country earned instant recognition in the sport give a good indication of the mood of the City on the eve of Maradona’s arrival.

Moment of pride

“It a moment of pride for all those who love the sport to be able to see Maradona from close,” said Chuni Goswami, the captain of Indian team that won gold in the 1962 Asian Games.

“Although no one is going to see his skills, his presence itself is something to cherish,” he added.

“Both of them are great players who were outstanding in their respective roles. Pele was a striker-creator and Maradona was a creator-striker. By that I mean Pele was more of a finisher while Maradona took dribbling and passing to sublime levels,” he said.

Former India captain Biswajit Bhattacharya said Maradona’s visit would help the football crazy people in the country gauge the true merit of football’s superstar.

“People here hardly have the idea about the charm and grandeur of big time football that is played in the developed world. Maradona’s arrival here would give people an idea of how rich the sport really is,” he said.

Bhattacharya said it is a thrilling feeling to have Maradona “in my own city.”

Coming to the present generation players, Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia is excited about seeing the legend he idolises.

“Maradona is every footballer’s hero. I have grown up watching him play,” he said.

“It is a great feeling as a footballer to see a figure like Maradona from close. I am keenly waiting to meet him,” said

Bhutia will be playing an exhibition match during the superstar’s felicitation on Saturday.

Diego Maradona may reconsider India visit

The Mumbai terror attack has cast a shadow over Diego Maradona's two-day trip to Kolkata, even as the organisers claim the iconic Argentine football star's
country visit is very much on.

Immediately after the terrorist strike at the country's commercial capital Mumbai, the 1986 World Cup hero's personal manager Sebastian De Monte got in touch with the city-based Celebrity Management Group (CMG) who are instrumental in bringing the football legend to Kolkata.

De Monte inquired about the prevailing situation in Kolkata and whether it was "safe" to travel to Kolkata at a time when terrorists were targetting foreigners, as was seen
during the Mumbai attacks.


However, the CMG executive director Bhaswar Goswami assured that Maradona's visit was very much on as it was planned and there's no question mark over the trip.


"It's true that Diego's manager Sebastian enquired about the situation. He wanted to know what was happening in Mumbai and how safe is Kolkata... I said there was nothing to worry about. This (terrorism) is an internal problem, which is happening on an off in the country for the past 20 years.

"There's nothing to worry about, I assured him and he said both Maradona and Claudia (his estranged wife) have started packing for the trip," Goswami said.


So, as of now, the December 5 arrival of Maradona is very much on the cards, he added.

"Afterall, the state government is in-charge of his (Maradona's) security, what is there to worry about. Kolkata is very much safe city, with no history of terror attacks.

Fans celebrate Diego Maradona's return

Argentina beat Scotland one-nil in soccer friendly as Diego Maradona takes charge for first the time.

Scottish fans treat Maradona as a hero after his famous 'Hand of God' goal knocked fierce rivals England out of the 1986 World Cup

Argentina deserved win - Maradona

Argentina boss Diego Maradona felt his side were worthy of their victory after Maxi Rodriguez's goal consigned Scotland to defeat at Hampden.

"It was a great experience and I was relaxed throughout," said Maradona. "It was a clear victory for us.

"We were brilliant for the first 25 minutes and scored a goal but we couldn't convert our half chances.

"We gave the ball away too easily but even then Scotland couldn't capitalise so we deserved our victory."

Scotland assistant Terry Butcher had said before the match that he would never forgive Maradona for the infamous "Hand of God" goal which helped knock England out of the 1986 World Cup.

And when asked if he had shaken hands with the former England captain at the end of the friendly in Glasgow, Maradona responded: "Who is he? Who is Butcher?

"I greeted the Scotland manager after the game. Who is Butcher?"

Scotland face a battle to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals and Maradona said George Burley's side have some improving to do if they are to reach South Africa.

"Scotland are a fine side, they have good players, but we had a different level of skill," said Maradona.

"They have a chance but if they want to do that, then they will have to raise their game. It will be difficult."

The new Argentina coach was considerably more upbeat about his team's chances.

They currently lie third in the South American qualifying standings, seven points behind leaders Paraguay and one behind Brazil, with the top four teams guaranteed to qualify.

"I have dedicated myself 100% this week to lifting the morale of the players," said Maradona.

"We needed to get out of a bad run. We reached a low point with the defeat against Chile but it wasn't a case of blaming other people but working out why.

"The national association didn't sit back, they appointed a new coach and I have succeeded in removing the fear of defeat from the players.

"It has been a long time since we won and expressed ourselves on the pitch like that. Tonight we played for the blue and white and for the people of Argentina."

Maradona's daughter had suffered a pregnancy scare before the match which resulted in her fiancé and Argentina striker Sergio Aguero missing the game to return home to Spain.

"I've been thinking of my daughter and her baby and the lads made things easy for me during a difficult time," added Maradona.

"She was happy for me to be here leading the Argentina side. The players wore the shirt with pride and made me proud."

Wednesday's 'game of God': Will Diego Maradona recreate

Diego Maradona has sorted out his friends and enemies before he enters the Hampden Park stadium in Glasgow on Wednesday night to create history yet again.

The Argentina-Scotland match is expected to eclipse even the England-Germany face-off the same night because of the presence of the man with the "hand of God" who wants to win his first match as the Argentine coach on the same ground he scored his first international goal against the same team in 1979.

He told The Guardian on Tuesday: "It's something that was very special to me. It was nice to start my international career and get my first goal here. What I want to do in terms of repaying them is hopefully put on a good spectacle tomorrow night."

Enemies first. There's actually only one and he has hated Maradona for the last 22 years. Terry Butcher, the Scots' assistant manager, was part of the English team which was knocked out of the 1986 World Cup because of Maradona's infamous 'hand of God' goal.

And Butcher has refused to shake hands with the new Argentine coach before the kick- off because he has never "forgiven" him for that loss to a disputed goal by Maradona that he attributed to the "hand of God".

Maradona brushed it aside: "I'm not going to seek him out. I don't know why Butcher would take this attitude. Let him get on with his life, and I'll get on with mine. I won't lose any sleep over it."

He is otherwise loved in Scotland and popular among even diehard Scots fans. "I'm very much aware of how popular I am in Scotland. I'm glad I somehow made the people of this country happy and if I get the chance I will do so again... to repay the fans in Scotland for their support I want to offer up a spectacle tomorrow night."

Diego Maradona poised for first game as Argentina coach

Diego Maradona's extraordinary career comes full circle when Argentina face Scotland in a friendly at Hampden Park on Wednesday (8 p.m. British time).

There have been plentiful highs and lows, including a brush with death in 2004, since Maradona gave a scintillating performance as an 18-year-old in Argentina's 3-1 friendly win over the Scots in February 1979.

Whether Maradona, who lifted the World Cup in 1986, can have a positive impact as coach is the question being debated in Buenos Aires and around the world.

"Of course this is a new start. But I'm not looking at it as if I have to show things. I'm here to give my support, my experience to the national team," he said.

Wednesday's game will be closely monitored by the family of football and he will want it to go better than his World Cup debut as a player, a shock defeat for the-then holders against Belgium in the opening game of the 1982 finals in Spain.

For the moment, and in the absence of key players Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme, Maradona just wants some of his aura to rub off on this generation, having been an inspiration behind the scenes for their Olympic gold medal three months ago.

"As long as we've got the ball and we get some respect for the jersey I'll go away very calm," Maradona told reporters upon arrival in Glasgow.

"I'm not asking the lads for more, they've taken some knocks."

Diego Maradona shrugs off Butcher snub

New Argentina boss Diego Maradona will not lose any sleep if Terry Butcher refuses to shake his hand at Hampden.

Scotland assistant Butcher said he will never forgive Maradona for the infamous "Hand of God" goal which helped knock England out of the 1986 World Cup.

"I don't understand why Butcher has this attitude," said Maradona, who then queried England's 1966 World Cup win.

"England won a World Cup with a goal that never crossed the line, so it's not fair that people should judge me."

He was, of course, referring to Geoff Hurst's extra-time goal in the final against West Germany at Wembley that may not have crossed the goal-line after thundering off the underside of the crossbar.

Hurst's hat-trick goal to make it 4-2 was also controversial, since several spectators had run on to the pitch before he scored.

Maradona has received a warm welcome in Scotland as he prepares for his first game in charge of the national team.

However, former England captain Butcher was not in the mood to join in with the adulation for one of the game's greatest players.

"If people are fine with me, I'll greet them," added Maradona.

"Let Butcher get on with his life and I'll get on with my life.

"I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. If Butcher doesn't shake my hand, I'll still be alive tomorrow."

Maradona scored his first international goal at Hampden in a 3-1 win in 1979 and the Argentine legend has fond memories of Glasgow.

His virtuoso performance won him many fans in Scotland, while his role in eliminating England from the World Cup in Mexico may have added to his list of admirers north of the border.

"I am very much aware of how popular I am and it's great to think I've made them very happy," said Maradona when asked about his relationship with Scottish supporters.

"If I get the chance to make them happy again, that would be marvellous.

"It's something that was very special to me. It was nice to start my international career and get my first goal here.

"What I want to do in terms of repaying them is hopefully put on a good spectacle.

"I feel great. I feel very good. I'm very happy to be back in Scotland after so long away.

"It's a very, very proud moment for me to be heading up the Argentina national side."

When Hansen came up against Diego Maradona

Just under 30 years ago, I played against current Argentina coach Diego Maradona when he scored his first goal for his country against Scotland at Hampden Park on 2 June, 1979.

Maradona was 18 at the time, and if ever one player was destined to be the greatest player in the world it was him.

You talk about the young players in this country, and we have one who is destined to win all the biggest awards in the coming weeks in Cristiano Ronaldo, but Maradona eclipsed him.

This is in no way meant as any criticism of Ronaldo, but he would not be in the same stratosphere as Maradona. It was June and the hottest day in Glasgow for 30 years and we could hardly get near him. He was just magnificent. Unbelievable, and just a kid as well.

You look at his achievements in winning the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and inspiring them to the final and you see how good he was, but there are other stories as well.

He captained a Rest of the World team in one match, playing alongside Michel Platini, who was one of the best passers of the ball the game had ever seen, but even he was standing open-mouthed at some of the stuff Maradona was doing.

I can remember when I played against him that the ball was almost stuck to his feet. He had the most amazingly quick feet - again people talk about the quickness of Ronaldo's feet, and there is no doubt he is exceptional, but Maradona was just something else.

He was massively strong, scored goals, ran the game and was just the most fantastic talent.

When we played against him, Argentina were the reigning world champions from the previous summer and had people like Mario Kempes and Leopoldo Luque playing for them, the big stars of that World Cup. Maradona was actually 10 times better than them.

And he was so tough. I remember my old Liverpool team-mate Phil Neal telling me he put in a hard tackle on in him early on when England played Argentina a year later, as defenders did in those days, and he said Maradona didn't even flinch. He didn't even go down. He just had everything.

Sometimes you see these young players who have a lot of hype surrounding them, but we all knew that day that this was a player who was going to be the best in the world and he proved us all right.

Celtic ball boy saves day for Maradona

Celtic ball boy Adam Brown was the surprise hero on Monday night, earning a big hug from Diego Maradona when Argentina's new coach took his first practice session.

A low-key workout by the squad as they prepared for Wednesday's friendly against Scotland at nearby Hampden Park ended with the stocky 48-year-old Maradona pacing Celtic's Parkhead turf looking for something in the grass.

His staff took part in the search for the lost item and a dozen ball boys formed a police-style cordon and walked down the pitch before Brown found it, a crucifix on a chain.

A joyous Maradona, who had been fairly quiet during the warm-up and a nine-a-side practice game which he refereed, bounded up to the ball boys and embraced Brown.

He then gave him his woolly hat in gratitude amid cheers from a few spectators in the stands.

Maradona made his customary sign of the cross as he left the pitch, bringing to an end Argentina's visit to Parkhead. The squad will practice behind closed doors at Hampden on Tuesday evening.

Celtic put a welcome message on their giant screen including a photo of a teenage Maradona when he inspired his country to a 3-1 victory over Scotland at Hampden in 1979.

Maradona, who will give a news conference at the team's hotel on Tuesday, did not speak to reporters after practice.