MADRID, Spain (AP) - A relatively slim Diego Maradona arrived Monday saying he had lost 27 kilograms, was free of drugs and came to Spain to visit some old friends at Real Madrid.
"I'm going to say hello to some friends," the Argentine said at the airport. "To see Arrigo Sacchi, who is lifelong friend, talk to Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Vanderlei (Luxemburgo)."
Sacchi is a director at Real Madrid, and Luxemburgo is the team's coach. Both Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos play for Madrid.
In the early 1980s, Maradona played for Madrid rival FC Barcelona before moving to Italian club Napoli. He won two Serie A titles and the UEFA Cup with the southern Italian team.
Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, was besieged by reporters when he arrived in Spain from Havana. He said he had lost 27 kilograms (59.5 pounds) following a stomach operation in March in Colombia.
The diminutive striker said his drug problems were "all over," and that he was in Madrid with his problems resolved. The 44-year-old Maradona said he was still considering an offer to work with the youth teams at former club Boca Juniors in Argentina.
Associated Press
"I'm going to say hello to some friends," the Argentine said at the airport. "To see Arrigo Sacchi, who is lifelong friend, talk to Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Vanderlei (Luxemburgo)."
Sacchi is a director at Real Madrid, and Luxemburgo is the team's coach. Both Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos play for Madrid.
In the early 1980s, Maradona played for Madrid rival FC Barcelona before moving to Italian club Napoli. He won two Serie A titles and the UEFA Cup with the southern Italian team.
Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, was besieged by reporters when he arrived in Spain from Havana. He said he had lost 27 kilograms (59.5 pounds) following a stomach operation in March in Colombia.
The diminutive striker said his drug problems were "all over," and that he was in Madrid with his problems resolved. The 44-year-old Maradona said he was still considering an offer to work with the youth teams at former club Boca Juniors in Argentina.
Associated Press
