Ismaeil Matar was invited personally by Diego Armando Maradona to play in the second Interreligious Match for Peace, which will be played on 12 October at the Rome Olympic Stadium, and we want to introduce him with a detail of the awesome career of the Al Wahda and UAE National Team star.

Ismaeil Matar Ibrahim Khamis Al Mukhaini Al Junaibi, as his full name is, was born on April 7th, 1983 in the city of Abu Dhabi and made his debut in first division on 2001 wearing the shirt of Al Wahda, club from that city, in Al Wahda he developed his entire career with the exception of a brief stint on loan in Al Sadd club from Qatar on 2009.

He has played, so far, 231 games scoring 85 goals and has won six titles with the club, including three UAE leagues.

With his National Team his career has been amazing, starting whe he achieved the FIFA Golden Ball for the best player on the 2003 U20 World Cup, later, with the senior team he got the two most important titles in the UAE history: Gulf Cups 2007 and 2013. In addition to participate in the Olympic games in London in 2012. With the United Arab Emirates National Team he played 112 games scoring 34 goals.

Khamis Al Rumaithy, Co Founder of Maradona Group, Diego Maradona and Ismail Matar during the event

In a press conference, followed with an informal friendly match played at the Dubai Sports Council, Diego Maradona formally invited the Emirati legend Ismaeil Matar to be part of the second Interreligious Match for Peace, to be held next October 12 at the Rome Olympic Stadium.

During the meeting, Diego Maradona thanked Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Government for supporting the event to be held in Rome and for the many initiatives developed by the government to promote global peace .

Diego expressed his feelings about it with the following words: “Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your attendance and As salamu alaikom, which is the literal translation for Peace be upon you. And this is exactly what we are here for today, peace…

For a very long time, Dubai was a major destination for football celebrities from all around the world; it is the city in which they find all manifestations of love, tolerance and support. Therefore, I am pleased today to be participating with the Mohammed bin Rashid Award for World Peace and the football star of the UAE Ismail Matar in the preparatory training for the “Peace Match” in Rome, a match that aims to promote the values ​​of peace all around the world.

Diego Maradona during the press conference, next to General Ahmad Al Mansoori, Representing the Sheikh Mohamed Award and UAE legend Ismail Matar

Dubai set an example for global cities by becoming a universal model for peace, wherein I feel that I have become part of it, a feeling that makes me proud, to be in a city where I have found all the love and warmth as if I was in my home country.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace is one of the most important initiatives launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, contributing to the development of peace partnerships around the world, which is not unfamiliar to the United Arab Emirates, as it has always been keen to promote peace and support all initiatives fostering the same.

The participation of the Award at the match shows the important role it plays in supporting peace building initiatives and its universal mission to promote peace globally; it shows the need for co-existence and harmony between different religions, backgrounds and nationalities.

Therefore, I thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his great support and efforts placed in broadcasting of the message of peace in the world, I also thank the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace, represented by its Secretary General Brigadier Ahmed Al Mansoori for his presence today and would like to express my full appreciation and respect for him.

I hope that the message & mission of the Award reaches all countries of the world as I wish the UAE and its people more & more progress and prosperity”, Maradona said.

MARADONA BRINGS FINE DINING TO THE MALL

CAFE DIEGO ES UNO DE LOS NUEVOS GOLEADORES DE LA CAPITAL

Nation Galleria’s most eye-catching outlet is a real ‘streets of Argentina’ affair tattooed in murals, with a mix and match of cute, colourful furniture, and sporting an actual glistening VW van out front that serves homemade ice cream and cotton candy to go. Football fans, for one, are loving it; and will even more when the Maradona-centric retail shop opens.

What’s interesting is Cafe Diego’s clear-cut casual vibe doesn’t match the Argentinian-Spanish menu, which leans more towards fine dining in terms of both flair and fare.

While we have no doubt that the popular paella, typical tapas and the Diego Hamburguesa (a tower of a burger packed with all Maradona’s favourite ingredients) are fantastic, we ordered offbeat, starting with a light and lovely mushroom soup.

It is served from teapot to teacups, the ‘sugar’ as truffle powder stirred in with a spoon. This starter is actually a cheeky snub to the English – the country Argentina beat to win the 1986 FIFA World Cup (goals courtesy Maradona). Cast your feelings aside and just enjoy it.

A carnival-colourful seabass ceviche really woke our taste buds for possibly one of the best, most impressively hefty ribeye steaks Abu Dhabi has to offer – The Boca Steak (obviously Argentinian), served with a super-luxe roasted potato gratin.

And yet we wanted more seabass. The whole beauty, which came out smoking over aromatic coals, was accompanied by a saffron-y Lebanese rice, and creola sauce (an Argentinian salsa) that really put the finishing touches on the whole annoyingly-flawless thing.

 
POR FAVOR, SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT
Your finale can be as small as a Bounty Cappuccino (yes, the coconut-filled candy bar is involved) or as wildly decadent as the Volcan de Chocolate, our favourite. It’s a ridiculously rich lava cake surprisingly well paired with pistachio ice cream and a nearly too pretty to eat assortment of fresh berries, tiny dehydrated meringues and globules of yoghurt caviar.

So yeah, again, the final bill will not match your first impressions of this place, but that’s so Maradona, a man of surprises. We can’t wait to see what he does with the impending breakfast menu.

Link to the original: MARADONA BRINGS FINE DINING TO THE MALL

Boca Juniors beat Lanus in the penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw in regular time and thus advance to the quarterfinals of the Copa Argentina.

The match was played at the Jose Maria Minella Stadium in Mar del Plata City and Lanus got a quick lead after a goal scored by Roman Martinez in the 4rd minute. With that 1-0 in favor of garnet side the match came into the halftime.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s side starting-11 was: Guillermo Sara; Gino Peruzzi, Santiago Vergini, Fernando Tobio and Frank Fabra; Adrian Cubas and Pablo Perez; Cristian Pavón, Carlos Tevez, Ricardo Centurion and Dario Benedetto.

In the 50th minute, Carlos Tevez got the equalizer but nine minutes later Lanus got the lead again through a goal scored by Diego Braghieri.

A new goal from Carlos Tevez in the 65th minute following a keeper’s rebound permitted the final draw and the match was defined in the penalty shootout.

Juan Insaurralde, Rodrigo Bentancur and Leonardo Jara came in for Tobio, and Perez Cubas respectively.

Guillermo Sara was the hero during the shoot-out saving the shots from Nicolas Pasquini and Diego Braghieri while Tévez, Pavon, Benedetto and Vergini scoring their own to achieve the qualification.

Boca Juniors are going to face Rosario Central into the quarterfinals.

Napoli has beaten Portuguese Benfica 4-2 and is the leader of the group B with 6/6 points after playing the second round.

The match was played at the San Paolo Stadium and the home side took the lead in the 20th minute with a header from Marek Hamsik following a corner kick from Fawzi Ghoulam. With that 1-0 on the scoreboard the match came into the halftime.

Maurizio Sarri’s side line-up was: Pepe Reina; Raul Albiol, Kalidou Koulibaly, Elseid Hysaj and Fawzi Ghoulam; Marek Hamsik, Allan and Jorginho; Jose Callejon, Arkadiusz Milik and Dries Mertens.

In the 51st minute, Dries Mertens doubled the lead after score with a great free kick and only 3 minutes later was Arkadiusz Milik who got the 3-0, this time with a penalty kick.

In the 58th minute, Dries Mertens scored again to reach a 4-0 and later Benfica could reduce the gap through Gonzalo Guedes and Eduardo Salvio.

During the second half, Nikola Maksimovic, Lorenzo Insigne and Emanuele Giacherini replaced Albiol, Callejon and Mertens respectively.

Napoli will play the third match into the Group B of the Champions League on October 19th when they receive Turkish Besiktas at the San Paolo Stadium.

As part of celebrations for the 30th anniversary of World Cup Mexico ’86, Jean-Marie Pfaff, legendary goalkeeper of the Belgium National Team who played the semifinal against Argentina, will have his rematch with Diego Maradona.

The game will be held at Antwerp’s Sports Palace on November, 14th at 7pm local time, after have been postponed the original date scheduled on August, 19th

For the Belgium’s side is confirmed the presence of stars such as Patrick Vervoort, Michel Renquin, Danny Veyt, Nico Claesen, Gilbert Bodart, Georges Grün and Erwin Vandenbergh, among others to be confirmed. While still are not confirmed the stars to accompany Diego Maradona.

After the successful realization of the first Interreligious Match for Peace played on September 1st, 2014 at Rome, upcoming Wednesday, October 12 a large group of international football stars are going to meet again at the Olympic Stadium in Rome to play a new edition of this huge charity event.

With figures already confirmed as Diego Armando Maradona, Ronaldinho, Hernan Crespo, Michel Salgado, Eric Abidal, Cafu, Antoine Griezmann, Roberto Carlos, Robert Pires, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and many else, it{s expected that this new historical event supported by the Vatican overcomes the impact regarding previous editions.

Napoli have make their debut in this UEFA Champions League 2016/17 edition with a very important over Ukrainian Dynamo Kiev after comes back the score in a tough game.

In the 25th minute the home got the advantage when Denis Harmash scored but only ten minutes later Arkadiusz Milic equalized the match.

Just before the the half time the Polish striker scored again and got his brace to stamp the final 1-2 in the scoreboard.

Maurizio Sarri’s side first-11 was: Pepe Reina; Raul Albiol, Kalidou Koulibaly, Elseid Hysaj and Faouzi Ghoulam; Marek Hamsik, Allan and Jorgiho; Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens and Arkadiusz Milic.

During the second half Piotr Zielinski, Lorenzo Insigne and Manolo Gabbiadini came into the pitch replacing Marek Hamsik, Dries Mertens and Arkadiusz Milic respectively.

Napoli will play again by Champions League on September 28th when they host Benfica from Portugal into the second round of Group B of Europe’s top club competition.

Argentina have beaten Uruguay 1-0 at the Malvinas Argentinas Stadium in Mendoza Province and, with this score, reach the top of the standings after playing the seventh round of the South American qualifiers on the road to World Cup Russia 2018.

In the 43rd minute, Lionel Andrés Messi scored the only goal into the match. The Argentine star decided to review his stance to resign after the Copa America Centenario and was the man of the match against Uruguay.

Over the end of the first half, Paulo Dybala was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

This match marked the debut of Edgardo Bauza as coach of the Albiceleste team and his first starting-11 was: Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolas Otamendi, Ramiro Funes Mori and Emmanuel Mas; Javier Macherano and Lucas Biglia; Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria; Lucas Pratto.

During the second half Lucas Alario and Nicolas Gaitan came in for Pratto and Di Maria respectively.

Argentina will play again this Tuesday, September 6, when they visit Venezuela in the city of Merida into the 8th round of South American qualifiers.

After several meetings with different candidates for the post vacated by Gerardo Martino after Copa America Centenario, the Regularizing Committee of the Argentine Football Association decided to appoint Mr. Edgardo Bauza as the new Argentine head coach.

Bauza shared squad with Maradona during the World Cup Italia 1990 and and they were runner-up and Diego offered him these words after learning of his appointment:

“I want to congratulate Paton Bauza, new coach of Argentina. I’ll never forget that in Italia ’90 he was the player 24, of 23. And he stayed to support the team throughout the WC. We are a generation of players who forget everything for the jersey.”

Gonzalo Higuain has become the world’s third most expensive player after completing his Euro 94.7 million move from Napoli to Juventus.

The Argentina international has signed a five-year contract with the Serie A champions worth Euro 7.5 million per season.

The reaction of Napoli’s supporters didn’t wait for what they consider a betrayal of their biggest star and the most emblematic man into the club history, Diego Armando Maradona, expressed his opinion on the matter:

“This Higuain affair is hurting me because he is going to a direct rival like Juventus. But we cannot blame the player either. A player has a responsibility to himself and it is those fat cats of business that are grinning the most in this case. Nobody thinks of the fan. I’m tired of saying that today it seems to be more important to be a good businessman than a good president. This did not happen in my time. Too bad that FIFA continues to sleep”, Maradona said

Boca Juniors reached the rematch of the Libertadores Cup semifinals against Independiente del Valle with great expectations after the meager defeat (only 1-2) received in Ecuador, but the team didn’t respond as expected and, after being defeated by 3-2 they were eliminated of the tournament.

With Diego Armando Maradona supporting the team in a filled Bombonera and a favourable score since the fourth minute thanks to a goal from Cristian Pavón, everything was ready to see Boca Juniors reaching the final, but some own deconcentrations and good accurate from the away side allowed Luis Caicedo equalized after a corner kick in the 18th minute. The match came to the half-time with a 1-1 on the scoreboard.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s side started the game with: Agustín Orion; Leonardo Jara, Daniel Diaz, Juan Insaurralde and Frank Fabra; Fernando Zuqui, Adrian Cubas and Pablo Perez; Cristian Pavón, Carlos Tevez and Nicolas Lodeiro.

In the 49th minute, a quick counterattack ended the second goal for Independiente del Valle after a accurate shot from Bryan Cabezas who scored the 2-1 and two minutes later a blunder by Agustin Orion allowed Julio Angulo to score the third and the difference was insurmountable for Boca.

In the 70th minute and adding deceptions for Boca, a penalty kick from Nicolas Lodeiro was saved by the goalkeeper Librado Azcona and a late goal from Cristian Pavón in stoppage time was not useful for anything.

Boca now will be dedicated to prepare the squad for the Argentine first division tournament, with starting date to be confirmed.

As part of celebrations for the 30th anniversary of World Cup Mexico ’86, Jean-Marie Pfaff, legendary goalkeeper of the Belgium National Team who played the semifinal against Argentina, will have his rematch with Diego Maradona.

The game will be held at Antwerp’s Sports Palace on August, 19th at 7pm local time.

For the Belgium’s side is confirmed the presence of stars such as Patrick Vervoort, Michel Renquin, Danny Veyt, Nico Claesen, Gilbert Bodart, Georges Grün and Erwin Vandenbergh, among others to be confirmed. While still are not confirmed the stars to accompany Diego Maradona.

After being defeated by Chile in the Copa America Centenario’s final, Captain Lionel Messi said: “I think I won’t continue in the National Team, this is not for me and I think it ended. Were four finals and I could not win any of them, it might be the best for everyone … ”

Argentine legend Diego Maradona shows his support immediately for the Argentina’s top star and he expressed his position on the resignation of his successor with the emblematic number 10 t-shirt: “Messi has to continue in the National Team, he has to continue! He is still young and has plenty of time ahead, because he will reach  Russia World Cup in conditions to be world champion. He should to look for support in the teammates who can help him to take the team forward and don’t watch to those are saying he has to leave our National Team. Take off of him those don’t allow him to cry! They don’t play and not let him even to mourn. For those who say you have to go, they are doing that to avoid us to see the mess into the Argentine football .

They left Messi alone and I don’t want to leave him alone. So I want to talk with him to fight with all the people who let him alone, from the first to the last leader, from Segura to Veron, whoever is”, Diego said.

On this day, 30 years ago, Argentina National Team achieved their second title of World Champion and Diego Armando Maradona was filled with glory and immortality.

Azteca Stadium was the perfect scenario and the powerful national team of West Germany the ideal opponent.

On June 30, 1986 Argentine football got an epic victory that could not repeat again and the maker, genius, brightest star and captain was a Diego Armando Maradona unique and unrepeatable.

The starting line-ups to play the final match were:

Coach: Carlos Salvador Bilardo                             Coach: Franz Beckenbauer

Third consecutive final reached and third consecutive final loss for Argentina National Team, this time the rival was Chile again, Argentina had possibility of revenge but the result of the final of the last America Cup was also repeated: 0-0 and La Roja won through penalty shootout.

The game was played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in front of more than 80,000 spectators.

Gerardo Martino’s side starting-11 was: Sergio Romero; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Ramiro Funes Mori and Marcos Rojo; Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano and Ever Banega; Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.

In the 28th minute, Chilean midfielder Marcelo Diaz was sent off by the low-level brazilian referee Heber Lopes, who also and in another controversial decision sent Marcos Rojo off 15 minutes later.

During the second half Matías Kranevitter and Sergio Aguero replaced Angel Di Maria Gonzalo Higuain and during the extra time, Eric Lamela came in for Ever Banega.

Into the penalty shootout, Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero scored for Argentina, Javier Macherano and Sergio Agüero; Lionel Messi deflected his shot and Claudio Bravo saved the shot from Lucas Biglia.

Sergio Romero stopped the first shot to Arturo Vidal but: But Nicholas Castillo, Charles Aranguiz, Jean Beausejour and Francisco Silva scored consecutively for Chile, and with this 4-2 for Chile, they achieve their second Copa America in a row.

Argentina National Team will play their third official final in a row after winning by a convincing 4-0 to the United States in a match played at the NRG Stadium in Houston.

Just three minutes had been played and Argentina already got the opening after an beatiful assist from Lionel Messi who capitalized Ezequiel Lavezzi with a header.

In the 32nd minute the jewel of the night came when Leo Messi converted a free kick from a difficult position, sending the ball direct to the the angle of post defended by the US keeper, Brad Guzan.

Gerardo Martino’s starting line-up was: Sergio Romero; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Ramiro Funes Mori and Marcos Rojo; Augusto Fernandez, Javier Mascherano and Ever Banega; Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

During the second part was Gonzalo Higuaín who ended the dispute with two goals scored at 50th and 86th minutes.

Lucas Biglia, Erik Lamela and Victor Cuesta replaced Fernandez, Lavezzi and Rojo respectively.

Argentina is going to play the final match of the Copa America Centenario on Sunday, June 26, against Chile at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

It was June 22, 1986, in Mexico DF, precisely in the Azteca Stadium and in front of  115,000 spectators. The day the world surrendered for ever to the magic of Diego Armando Maradona.

The opponent was England, and it was not only another football game, it was a symbolic one, the cause was the quarterfinals of the Mexico 86 World Cup.

After a balanced first half the emotions came up: In the 51st minute Maradona jumped inside the box to dispute a long ball with the keeper Peter Shilton and he helped himself with his left hand, later known as The Hand of God, to get the opening for Argetina. Just four minutes later, the greatest art work ever seen in the history of this sport came and Argentina got the 2-0.

Just nine minutes remaining when Gary Lineker scored through a header after a cross from John Barnes and put in in trouble the Argentine defense, they had to suffer and fight until the end to finally untie the crazy celebration.

Argentina was in the semifinals and Maradona became, forever, in a unique hero for the entire world of football.

Argentina was blunt and advanced to the semifinals of the Copa America Centenario after beating Venezuela by a wide 4-1. The game was played at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Argentina hit quickly and in the 8th minute Lionel Messi sent a perfect assistance for Gonzalo Higuain and the Napoli’s striker scored the first with a crossed shot. 20 minutes later, Higuain repeated and got his brace, Argentina’s advantage was threatened when the Mexican ref Roberto Garcia awarded Venezuela with a penalty kick just one minute before the end of the first half, but goalkeeper Sergio Romero saved a weak shot sent from Luis Seijas.

Gerardo Martino’s side starting-11 was: Sergio Romero; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Ramiro Funes Mori and Marcos Rojo; Augusto Fernandez, Javier Mascherano and Ever Banega; Nicolas Gaitan Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi.

In the 60th minute, Lionel Messi scored the 3-0 for Argentina and, ten minutes later, Venezuela achieved to reduce the difference through Salomon Rondon but only sixty seconds later Erik Lamela scored the final 4-1 to Argentina.

During the second half Erik Lamela, Sergio Aguero and Lucas Biglia replaced Gaitan, Banega and Higuain respectively.

Now the home side, United States, wait for Argentina in the semifinal to be played on Tuesday 21 June in Houston city.

Argentina closed with perfect score their participation in the group stage of the Copa America Centenario after beating Bolivia 3-0 in a match played at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington.

Quickly, in the 13th minute, the albiceleste found the opening through a free kick from Erik Lamela, only two minutes later Ezequiel Lavezzi scored the 2-0 and just past the half an hour was Victor Cuesta who got the definitive 3-0 for Argentina.

Gerado Martino’s side starting line-up:  Sergio Romero; Facundo Roncaglia, Nicolas Otamendi, Victor Cuesta and Ramiro Funes Mori; Erik Lamela, Matías Kranevitter and Ever Banega; Ezequiel Lavezzi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero.

At the beginning of the second half Lionel Messi and Lucas Biglia replaced Ever Banega and Higuain respectively. Later, Jonathan Maidana came in for Nicolas Otamendi.

Thereby, Argentina have finished first in their group and will face Venezuela into the quarterfinals on Saturday, June 18 in Foxborough city.

Argentina got a resounding win over Panama 5-0 and qualified for the next round of the Copa America Centenario when still one round is remaining to complete the Group D. The match was played at Soccer Field Stadium, in Chicago, Illinois.

In the 7th Nicolas Otamendi got a quick opening through a header, getting the tranquility for Argentinian side and, with this result, the match came to the half-time.

One minute passed the first half hour when Panamanian midfielder Anibal Godoy was sent off, leaving his team with ten men for the rest of the game and two minutes before the end of the first half, Angel Di Maria suffered a muscle injury that It prevented to continue into the game, being replaced by Erik Lamela.

Gerardo Martino’s side started the game with Sergio Romero; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Ramiro Funes Mori and Marcos Rojo; Augusto Fernandez, Javier Mascherano and Ever Banega; Nicolas Gaitan Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.

The Argentinian star Lionel Messi started the game on the bench but he went in the 51st minute to give a one-man show including a hat-trick, with goals scored at 68th, 78th and 87th minutes respectively.

Sergio Aguero, who replaced Gonzalo Higuain, got the fifth and final goal just one minute before the end of the match.

Argentina will conclude their participation in the Group D next Tuesday, June 14, facing Bolivia in Washington DC.

Argentina National Team started on the right foot their participation in the Copa America after beat Chile by 2-1. The match was played at the Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The Albiceleste faced this first game without the presence of their biggest star, Lionel Messi, who is recovering from a stroke suffered in the last friendly against Honduras.

Gerardo Martino’s side first-11: Sergio Romero; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Ramiro Funes Mori and Marcos Rojo; Javier Mascherano, Augusto Fernández and Ever Banega; Nicolas Gaitan, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.

In the 51st minute, Angel Di Maria took advantage of a good assistance from Ever Banega to get the opening and just eight minutes later the roles were reversed and the PSG man gave the lass pass to the Sevilla’s playmaker, who scored the 2-0.

Into the injury time, José Fuenzalida beat Sergio Romero with a header got the final score.

During the second half, Sergio Aguero, Erik Lamela and Matías Kranevitter replaced Higuain, Di Maria and Gaitan respectively.

Argentina will play the next game of this Group D on Friday, June 10, when they face Panama at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago.

Gonzalo Higuaín got an incredible record and he is the new all-time top scorer in Italian Serie A after beating the Swede Gunnar Nordahl, who had scored 35 in season 1949-50.

Argentinian striker reached and surpassed the historical mark during the last game against Frosinone, during which he got a hat-trick.

Higuain also achieved that unimaginable mark of goals even when he had to purge an unfair four game’s ban, shortly before the end of the championship.

Italian Serie A began to be played in the 1929-30 season, so Higuaín exceeds a mark that has 86 years of history. A year before the start of the Serie A, Italian Gino Rossetti had also got to score 36 goals, playing for Torino.

In their last friendly match before the America Cup to be played in the United States, Argentina National Team won 1-0 over Honduras. The game was played at the San Juan del Bicentenario Stadium with an attendance of around 18,000 spectators.

Just one minute after the first half an hour of play, Gonzalo Higuain got the opening with a great individual move inside the box and this 1-0 was the result until the end of the game.

Gerardo Martino’s side starting-11 was: Sergio Romero; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Ramiro Funes Mori and Marcos Rojo; Lucas Biglia, Javier Macherano and Angel Di Maria; Erik Lamela, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi.

In the 66th minute came some moments of concern when Leo Messi received a strong hit on his back and had to be replaced for Ever Banega. Also Nicolas Gaitan, Sergio Aguero, Facundo Roncaglia, Jonathan Maidana and Victor Cuesta came in for Lamela, Higuain, Mercado, Otamendi and Rojo respectively.

Argentina begin their participation in the America Cup facing Chile at California on Monday, June 6th.

Despite having to overcome an own goal, two injured players and a red card, Boca drew 1-1 against Nacional and as they repeated the result of the first game, had to define through penalty shoot-out, the Xeneize beat on that instance by 4-3 and moved forward to semifinals of the America Libertadores Cup.

In the 21st minute, defender Daniel “Cata” Diaz scored in his own net and National got an unexpected opening. With this score the match came to the half-time.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s starting line-up was: Agustin Orion; Gino Peruzzi, Daniel Diaz, Juan Insaurralde and Frank Fabra; Pablo Perez, Leonardo Jara and Marcelo Meli; Andres Chavez, Carlos Tevez and Cristian Pavón.

In the 73rd minute, Cristian Pavón received a wonderful long pass from Leonardo Jara and equalized the match with a crossed shot, but was sent off during the celebration because he pulled out his t-shirt.

With this 1-1 on the score the game came to the end with a 2-2 on aggregate and they had to define through the penalty shoot-out.

Agustin Orion wore a superhero costume as he stopped three shots to Nacional’s players, the latter through a high-risk intervention. Federico Carrizo scored the final penalty and untied the party for the home crowd.

Marcelo Meli got injured during the first half and was replaced by Federico Carrizo, while during the second half, and also with a major injury, Andres Chavez left the pitch being replaced for Sebastian Palacios.

Into the semifinals of the Libertadores Cup, Boca will face Independiente del Valle from Ecuador in matches to be played on July 8th, at Ecuador, and July 15th in Buenos Aires.

Diego invites you to come to his Cafe, located at the Nation Towers in the city of Abu Dhabi

Serie A: Napoli are runner-up and will play the Champions League

Napoli achieved the target and won the second place in Serie A after thrashing Frosinone 4-0 into the last round of the tournament. The match was played at the San Paolo Stadium with an attendance of 57.000 spectators and, thus, Napoli returns to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League after a three year absence.

The opening goal late in coming and when the tension was growing at the San Paolo was the captain Marek Hamsik who opened the scoring just one minute before the half-time.

Maurizio Sarri’s side first-11 was: Pepe Reina; Vlad Chiriches, Kalidou Koulibaly, Elseid Hysaj and Faouzi Ghoulam; Marek Hamsik, Allan and Jorginho; Lorenzo Insigne, Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon.

The second part had an exclusive protagonist, Gonzalo Higuain completed the best season of his career and became the record man among the scorers in the Italian league scoring a hat-trick to complete a staggering 36 goals. The third was an artwork, Higuain scored with a back-wheel after a chest’s masterclass control.

During the second half, Dries Mertens, Vasco Regini and David Lopez came in for Callejon, Koulibaly and Hamsik respectively.

Napoli got the fifth runner-up in their history after those achieved in seasons 1974/75, 1987/88, 1988/89 and 2012/2013

Boca Juniors got a positive 1-1 tie against Nacional from Uruguay and now they wait with confidence the rematch of quarter-final of Libertadores Cup. The game was played at the Grand Central Park stadium in Montevideo.

In the 25th minute Colombian left back Frank Fabra was responsible for opening the scoring for Boca Juniors after a pass from Andres Chavez but six minutes later, Sebastian Fernandez got the final equalizer for the Uruguayan side.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s side starting line-up was: Agustin Orion; Gino Peruzzi, Daniel Diaz, Juan Insaurralde and Frank Fabra; Pablo Perez, Leonardo Jara and Marcelo Meli; Federico Carrizo, Carlos Tevez and Cristian Pavón.

Carrizo was replaced for Andres Chavez during the halftime while Daniel Osvaldo and Rodrigo Bentancur came in for Cristian Pavón and Marcelo Meli respectively on final minutes of the match.

The rematch will be played next Thursday, May 19th, at the Bombonera in Buenos Aires.

On May 10th, 1987 Napoli drew 1-1 against Fiorentina at the San Paolo Stadium and became champion of Italy for first time in their history.

Diego Armando Maradona was the leader and top-scorer of the team that reached the glory after 15 victories, 12 draws, and only 3 defeats. Scoring 41 goals and receiving 21.

The ending of the tournament found Napoli three points over the powerful northern Italian club: Juventus from Turin.

It was also the year of the consecration of the famous formula “Magica”: Conformed with the strikers Diego Maradona, Bruno Giordano and Andrea Carnevale.

Ottavio Bianchi was the head coach and the players were:
Goalkeepers: Claudio Garella and Raffaele Di Fusco
Defenders: Tebaldo Bigliardi, Giuseppe Bruscolotti, Ciro Ferrara, Moreno Ferrario, Massimo Filardi, Alessandro Renica, Giuseppe Volpecina and Antonio Carannante
Midfielders: Salvatore Bagni, Fernando Di Napoli, Francesco Romano, Luciano Sola, Gonzalo Celestini, Luigi Caffarelli and Ciro Muro
Strikers: Andrea Carnevale, Bruno Giordano, Pietro Puzone y Diego Armando Maradona.

Napoli beat Torino 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Turin and, thus, remain in the second place into the Serie A standings with two points over Roma when only one round remains to the ending of the season.

In the 12th minute Napoli got a quick opening when Gonzalo Higuain scored with a crossed shoot after an assist from Marek Hamsik. Just eight minutes later, again Hamsik gave the last pass, nopw for Callejón who scored with a short touch to the net and got the 2-0 which closed the first half.

Maurizio Sarri’s side starting line-up was: Pepe Reina; Raul Albiol, Kalidou Koulibaly, Elseid Hysaj and Faouzi Ghoulam; Marek Hamsik, Allan and Jorginho; Lorenzo Insigne, Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon.

In the 66th Brazilian Bruno Peres scored to shorten the difference for Torino but was not enough and this result was the definitive into the match.

Dries Mertens, David Lopez and Omar El Khaddouri came in during the second half replacing Insigne, Hamsik and Callejón respectively.

Napoli will play the last game of the season in Serie A next Saturday, May 14th, when they host Frosinone at San Paolo Stadium.

Boca beat Cerro Porteño again, now 3-1, and achieved to qualify to the quarterfinals of the America’s Libertadores Cup.

The match was played at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires with an attendance of around 50,000 spectators. Carlos Tevez got a quick opening scoring through a penalty kick before the 5th minute but only 7 minutes later Rodrigo Rojas got the equalizer for Cerro and with this 1-1 on the score the game came to the half-time.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s side starting-11 was: Agustín Orion; Leonardo Jara, Daniel Diaz, Juan Insaurralde and Frank Fabra; Pablo Perez, Cristian Erbes and Marcelo Meli; Federico Carrizo, Carlos Tevez and Cristian Pavón.

In the 73rd minute, Carlos Tevez sent a good pass to Cristian Pavón, who scored to give the 2-1 advantage for Boca and with one minute remaining, Pablo Pérez scored the final 3-1 after a pass from Frank Fabra.

Fernando Tobio, Jonathan Silva and Sebastián Palacios came in during the second replacing Erbes, Carrizo and Pavon respectively.

Boca will face Nacional from Uruguay into the quarterfinals. The first match will be played in Montevideo on May 13th and the rematch will be in Buenos Aires a week later.

Napoli have got a very important victory at the San Paolo Stadium after beating Atalanta by 2-1 and they remain in the second position, which gives a direct place to the next UEFA Champions League, with only two rounds remaining to complete the tournament.

Just in the 10th was Gonzalo Higuaín who opened the score after a good assist from Marek Hamsik. The Argentinean striker has already achieved an impressive 32 goals mark into the Serie A this season.

Maurizio Sarri’s side starting line-up was: Pepe Reina; Raul Albiol, Kalidou Koulibaly, Elseid Hysaj and Faouzi Ghoulam; Marek Hamsik, Allan and Jorginho; Lorenzo Insigne, Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon.

In the 77th minute was Gonzalo Higuain again who extended the advantage for Napoli with a good header after a cross from Callejon and five minutes remaining, an own goal from Raul Albiol gave the only one mark for Bergamo’s team.

During the second half, Dries Mertens, Omar El Khaddouri and Manolo Gabbiadini came to replace Insigne, Callejon and Higuain respectively.

Napoli will play their next game on Sunday, May 8th against Torino at the Turin Olympic Stadium and, if Napoli win, they will ensure a direct place to the next UEFA Champions League.

Boca Juniors got a key victory in the first match into the round of 16 of the Libertadores Cup after beating Cerro Porteño 2-1 at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium.

In the 29th minute Carlos Tevez got the opener with a header after a good cross from Marcelo Meli and with this result the game came to the half-time.

Boca Juniors starting-11 was Agustín Orion; Gino Peruzzi, Daniel Diaz, Juan Insaurralde and Frank Fabra; Pablo Perez, Cristian Erbes and Marcelo Meli; Nicolas Lodeiro, Carlos Tevez and Cristian Pavón.

In the 56th minute, goalkeeper Agustin Orion avoided a home side’s equalizer when he made a great save to a penalty kick launched by Luis Leal and just four minutes later, Nicolas Lodeiro scored to extend the difference for Boca after a pass from Carlos Tevez. Finally, with six minutes remaining another penalty for Cerro Porteño was converted by Cecilio Domínguez to establish the final score-board on the match.

During the second half, Fernando Tobio, Jonathan Silva and Sebastián Palacios replaced Peruzzi, Lodeiro and Pavon respectively.

The next match for Boca will be on Sunday, May 1st when they visit Argentinos Juniors into the 13th round of the Argentinian Transition Tournament at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Diego Maradona was present from Dubai in “In Casa Napoli” football program broadcast by the channel Piuenne and he talked about at all: Juventus’s Scudetto, Buffon, the season of Napoli, Higuain and a lot of more.

Here are some the best quotes that Diego left during the extensive interview:

About Juventus’s Scudetto:

“Juve deserved to be the champion but I have to say, in all honesty, they were extremely lucky!”

About Gianluigi Buffon:

“Buffon seems a 18 years old young, I do not know how many minus points Juve would have without him, but he was decisive.”

About Napoli’s season:

“Napoli had a truly great campaign and played much better football than Juve. The real difference is on the bench. Maurizio Sarri looked at the bench and did not have as many alternatives as Allegri. When Napoli needed to buy, they didn’t do it. The fans know this. I am not a friend of De Laurentiis or any other director, I just want what is best for Napoli. This year, the fans wanted and deserved more”

About the match against Roma:

“Napoli played a great first half but then they lost the control a bit, Roma are getting good results with the new coach and got the advantage in the second half, it was a high-risk game. But I think a draw was the fairest result. ”

About Gonzalo Higuaín:

“Higuain has had a great season, is impossible to repeat a season like this, I know De Laurentiis very well and surely he is going to sell Gonzalo and hopefully with that money he will build a great team. It must be sold at a high price because he has made a spectacular season. And for the position of Gonzalo I would bring Tottenham’s Harry Kane, I don’t know how much is his cost but it is the only one who can give to Napoli same things as Higuaín gives.”

About Kalidou Koulibaly:

“If Koulibaly was white surely he would be playing for Barcelona or Real Madrid, because he is a phenomenom.”

About Maurizio Sarri:

“I would not change the way to play of Napoli and, of course, I think Sarri should continue on his charge.”

A late goal from Roma’s midfielder Radja Nainggolan closed the last illusion to reach the top for Napoli and also gifted the fifth consecutive Scudetto to Juventus.

The game was played at the Rome’s Olympic Stadium and was part of the 35th round of the Serie A. Napoli remains in the second position that provides a direct place to the next UEFA Champions League but now is closely besieged by Roma at just two points away.

Maurizio Sarri’s side starting line-up was: Pepe Reina; Raul Albiol, Kalidou Koulibaly, Elseid Hysaj and Faouzi Ghoulam; Marek Hamsik, Allan and Jorginho; Dries Mertens, Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon.

During the second half Lorenzo Insigne, David Lopez and Manolo Gabbiadini have replaced Mertens, Allan and Jorginho respectively.

The next Napoli’s match will be on Monday, May 2nd, when they host Atalanta at the San Paolo into the 36th round of the Serie A.

As happened in the last superclásico played on March 7th, Boca and River tied again in a boring and goalless match.

The game was played at La Bombonera and was part of the 12th round of the Argentinian Transition Tournament.

This time the most important Argentinean derby changed its course in the 11th minute when Boca’s midfielder Pablo Perez was sent off and this situation limited the possibilities for the home side while River did not take advantage of their numerical superiority.

Barros Schelotto’s side starting-11 was: Agustín Orion; Gino Peruzzi, Fernando Tobio, Juan Insaurralde and Jonathan Silva; Pablo Perez, Fernando Gago and Leonardo Jara; Nicolas Lodeiro, Carlos Tevez and Cristian Pavón.

The bad news for Boca arrived shortly before the half-time when Fernando Gago re-injured his Achilles tendon of his left leg and had to be replaced for Marcelo Meli. Gago is going to have a surgery and from six to eight months to recover.

During the second part Andres Chavez replaced Cristian Pavón.

Boca will play theri next game on Thursday, April 29th. When they visitin Cerro Porteño from Paraguay in the Defensores del Chaco Stadium into the first leg of the round of 16 of the Libertadores Cup of America.

Diego Maradona received a special invitation from the president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, who met him at his residence in Managua.

During the meeting Diego received the highest honor that can deliver the president: “Augusto C. Sandino Order in grade of Battle of San Jacinto.”

“This is the Augusto C. Sandino Order, Battle of San Jacinto, which is the highest distinction. Because of the Battle of San Jacinto means about the fight against Yankee, and what Sandino mean as maximum figure to summarize the history of anti-imperialist war in Nicaragua”. President Ortega said to Maradona.

The president had read the Presidential Agreement that recognize this honor, after which he placed it on Maradona’ chest, whom the president called: “A fighter, a gladiator for peace and justice”.

Maradona, meanwhile, was extremely proud of this award: “Thank you, Daniel, I’m going to take it care like the World Cup 86.”

The president also gave Maradona a copy of the poetry anthology “Dario by Dario” with selections of poems by Ruben Dario, Prince of the Castilian Letters and greatest exponent of Poetry in Nicaragua.

Finally, Diego visited Managua landmarks such as the Plaza of the Revolution and its surroundings, and accompanied children of the football academies that promotes the Sandinist government that were training in the fields of Luis Alfonso Velasquez Flores Historical Park.

Boca Juniors closed their participation in the Group 3 of the Copa Libertadores after a wide victory by 6-2 against Deportivo Cali from Colombia in a match played in La Bombonera Stadium.

Thus Barros Schelotto’s side achieved the first place in their group and made it undefeated with three wins and three draws.

It was just a former Cali’s player, Frank Fabra, who got the opener in the 17th minute but surprisingly the away side turned back the score with a brace from Mateo Casierra in the 36th and 37th minute but Boca, that always had the control of the game, achieved a quick equalizer through Carlos Tevez in the 38th minute. With this result the teams came into the half-time.

Boca Juniors starting line-up was Guillermo Sara; Gino Peruzzi, Fernando Tobio, Alexis Rolin and Frank Fabra; Andrés Cubas, Fernando Gago, Nicolas Lodeiro; Cristian Pavón, Carlos Tevez and Andres Chavez.

Freshly started the second half was Andres Chavez who got the 3-2 for Boca and that score was extended through Carlos Tevez at in the 27th, Leonardo Jara in the 34th and Sebastián Palacios with three minutes remaining.

During the second half, Leonardo Jara, Marcelo Meli and Sebastián Palacios came in for Cubas, Lodeiro and Tevez respectively.

Boca next match will be no less than the Argentinian Superclásico against River Plate Sunday, April 24th at La Bombonera.

Napoli remain in the second place of the Serie A standings after a landslide win over Bologna by 6-0. The team of Maurizio Sarri still are nine points away of the leaders Juventus, with only four rounds remaining to finish the tournament.
Manolo Gabbiadini scored the first two goals at the San Paolo Stadium in the 10th and the 35th minutes and with those goals the game came to the half-time with a 2-0 for Napoli on the scoreboard.
The Partenopean side starting line-up was: Pepe Reina: Albiol, Koulibaly, Hysaj, Ghoulam; Hamsik, Allan, Jorginho; Dries Mertens, Gabbiadini and Callejon.
In the second half the show of Dries Mertens started, the Belgian winger got a hat-trick scoring goals in the 13th, 35th and 43rd minutes; David Lopez filled the half dozen with a goal one minute before the end of the game.
During the second half Lorenzo Insigne, Omar El Khaddouri and David Lopez came in for Gabbiadini, Callejon and Hamsik respectively.
Napoli will play a key game in the battle for a direct place to the next UEFA Champions League when they visit AC Roma at the Olympic Stadium next Monday, April 25th

Boca Juniors got the pass to the next round of the Libertadores Cup after an emotional win against Racing Club by 1-0 with a goal scored in the last minutes of the game. The match was played at the Racing Club Stadium and was part of the Group 3’s 5th round.

With only one round remaining, only remains to define the Boca’s final position in the group after the clash versus Deportivo Cali.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s starting-11 was: Orion; Peruzzi, Daniel Diaz, Insaurralde, Frank Fabra; Pablo Perez Gago, Cubas; Cristian Pavón, Tévez and Lodeiro.

It was a balanced match with few situations for both sides up to just, with only six minutes remaining, Nicolas Lodeiro scored the winner for Boca.

During the second half, Marcelo Meli, Jonathan Silva and Andres Chavez came in replacing Perez, Lodeiro and Pavon respectively.

Boca’s next game will be on Saturday, April 16th when they host Aldosivi into the 11th round of the Argentinian Transition Tournament.

Napoli remain in second place of the Serie A standings after beating Hellas Verona by 3-0. With only six games remaining Napoli still is 6 points away of leaders Juventus.

Manolo Gabbiadini, substitute of banned Higuain was the responsible to open the scoring in the 33rd minute and Lorenzo Insigne enlarged the lead with a penalty kick just before the half-time.

Maurizio Sarri’s side starting line-up was Pepe Reina; Albiol, Chiriches, Hysaj, Ghoulam; Hamsik, David Lopez, Jorginho; Callejon, Gabbiadini and Insigne.

In the 70th minute was José Callejón who would establish the definitive difference after an assistance from Omar El Khaddouri.

El Khaddouri, Nathaniel Chalubah and Ivan Strinić came in during the second half replacing Gabbiadini, Hamsik and Ghoulam respectively.

The next match for Napoli will be on Saturday, April 16th, when they visiti Inter at the San Siro Stadium into the 33rd round of the Italian Serie A.

Boca Juniors got their first win into the Group 3 of the Libertadores Cup after beating Bolivia’s Bolivar by 3-1. The match was played at La Bombonera and now “Los Xeneizes” are in the second position of their group standings, two points away from the leaders, Racing Club de Avellaneda.

The home side got the lead in the 33rd minute through Fernando Gago and ten minutes later, Carlos Tevez made a stunning slalom from behind the center of the pitch to beat the goalkeeper Quinonez and stamp the 2-0, with this result the match came to the half-time.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s side starting line-up was: Orion; Peruzzi, Daniel Diaz, Insaurralde, Fabbra; Lodeiro, Gago, Cubas; Cristian Pavón, Tevez and Carrizo.

In the 49th minute, the chance came for Federico Carrizo, who scored the 3-0 reassuring, although in the 27th minute Juanmi Callejon scored the first for Bolivar through a penalty kick. It remained 3-1 until the final whistle.

During the second half, Andres Chavez and Rodrigo Marcelo Meli Bentancur came in for Pavon, Cubas and Carrizo respectively.

The next match Boca Juniors match will be on Sunday, April 10th, when they visit Tigre into the 10th round of the Argentina Transition Tournament.

Napoli failed to keep pace of the leaders Juventus, and now is six points away after being defeated by Udinese 3-1, with only seven rounds remaining into the season.

The match was played at the Comunale Friuli Stadium in Udine and Bruno Fernandes got the opening for the home side in the 14th minute trough a penalty kick. But Napoli reacted and got the equalizer just ten minutes later through the Serie A top scorer, Gonzalo Higuain, but just a minute before the half-time, Udinese retook the lead with another goal from the Portuguese Fernandes.

Maurizio Sarri’s starting line-up was: Gabriel; Albiol, Koulibaly, Hysaj, Ghoulam; Jorginho, Allan, Hamsik; Insigne, Higuain and Callejon.

Ito the 57th minute Frenchman Cyril Thereau got the definitive 3-1 for Udinese. And with 15 minutes remaining Gonzalo Higuaín was sent off after a heated discussion with the referee Massimiliano Irrati and one of his assistants.

Napoli’s next game will be on Sunday, April 10th, when they host Hellas Verona at the San Paolo Stadium.

Boca Juniors have recovered of their defeat against Lanus after beating Atletico Rafaela 3-0 into the 9th round of the Argentinean Transition Tournament. With this result the “Xeneizes” are now located in the seventh position of the Group B.

In the 25th minute Carlos Tevez got the opening after a good pass from Pablo Perez and two minutes before the half-time, Federico Carrizo scored the 2-0.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s side starting-11 was: Orion; Leonardo Jara, Daniel Diaz, Insaurralde, Jonathan Silva; Pablo Perez Gago, Cubas; Cristian Pavón, Tevez and Carrizo.

During the second half, Fernando Tobio, Nicolas Lodeiro and Andres Chavez came in replacing Jara, Perez and Carrizo respectively.

In the 68th minute, Agustin Orion made a great save to a penalty kick from Agustin Diaz, the goalkeeper received an amazing support from his crowd before, during and after the penalty.

With 8 minutes remaining, Nicolás Lodeiro received a pass from Carrizo inside the small box and he scored the definitive 3-0 for Boca.

The next Boca Juniors match will be on Thursday, April 7th, when they receive Bolivar from Bolivia into the 4th round of the Libertadores Cup’s Group 3.

Argentina National Team got their third win in a row into the Russia World Cup 2018 qualifiers after beating Bolivia 2-0, the match was played at the Mario Kempes Stadium in Cordoba province and was part of the 6th round of this qualifying stage. With this result the Albiceleste reach 10 points and now they are in third place of the standings.

In the 20th minute Gabriel Mercado got the opening after a good assistance from Gonzalo Higuain and ten minutes later Lionel Messi got the definitve 2-0 through a penalty kick.

Gerardo Martino’s side starting-11 was Sergio Romero; Gabriel Mercado, Martin Demichelis, Javier Pinola, Marcos Rojo; Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega; Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.

Angel Di Maria got injured and he left the pitch just half an hour into the game to be replaced for Angel Correa. Later during the second half Sergio Aguero and Augusto Fernandez came in replacing Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega respectively.

Argentina National Team are going to play a friendly game against Honduras, on May 27th at the Monumental Stadium.

Argentina National Team got a key victory after beating Chile by 2 to 1 into the 5th round of the South American zone of qualification to Russia 2018 World Cup of, the game was played at the National Stadium of Santiago and with this result Argentina reach 8 points, sharing the third place of the standings with Brazil and Paraguay.

Gerardo Martino’s side starting line-up was Sergio Romero; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Ramiro Funes Mori, Red Marcos; Lucas Biglia, Matías Kranevitter, Ever Banega; Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria.

The Chilean team achieved the opening in the 11th minute through a header of Felipe Gutiérrez after a corner kick from Fabian Orellana, but Argentina reacted quickly and got a come-back with goals from Angel Di Maria, in the 20th and Gabriel Mercado, just five minutes later.

During the second half, Gonzalo Higuain, Augusto Fernandez and Ezequiel Lavezzi came in for Aguero, Banega and Di Maria Banega respectively.

The next match of the Albiceleste will be on Tuesday, March 29, when they host Bolivia at the Mario Kempes Stadium, in Cordoba.

Napoli got their third victory in a row after beat Genoa at San Paolo Stadium by 3-1. With this result the Azzurri remain in second place into the Serie A, three points behind the lonely leaders Juventus.

Genoa got a fast opener to through the Venezuelan Tomas Rincon in the 10th minute and with that 1-0 scoreboard for Genoa the game came to the half-time.

Maurizio Sarri’s side starting line-up was: Pepe Reina; Albiol, Koulibaly, Hysaj, Ghoulam; Jorginho, Allan, Hamsik; Insigne, Higuain and Callejon.

From the beginning of the second half the home team turned massively in attack and got three goals that could be more, regarding the chances to score created. Gonzalo Higuain, top scorer in Serie A, scored a brace in the 51st and 81st minutes and the substitute Omar El Khaddouri scored the third during the stoppage time.

Dries Mertens, Manolo Gabbiadini and Omar El Khadouri came in during the second half for Callejon, Insigne and Higuain respectively.

Napoli’s next game will be on Sunday, April 3, when they visit Udinese into the 31st round of Serie A.

Boca Juniors achieved a narrow 2-1 victory at La Bombonera against Union from Santa Fe, the victory of the “Xeneizes” arrived only in injury time and Boca has now 11 points from seven matches in the standings of the group B, five points behind leader Lanús

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s side starting-11 was Agustin Orion; Leonardo Jara, Fernando Tobio, Juan Insaurralde, Jonathan Silva; Federico Carrizo, Fernando Gago, Rodrigo Bentancur; Sebastián Palacios, Carlos Tevez and Nicolas Lodeiro.

Lucas Gamba opened the score for the away team in the 59th minute but just four minutes later Nicolas Lodeiro scored the equalizer. Boca Juniors then was launched in attack and had several chances to increase the score but just in the 91st minute, and after some rebounds, Carlos Tevez got the winner.

The next Boca Juniors match will be on Sunday, March 20 when they visit leaders Lanus into the 8th round of the championship.

Napoli achieved a tough win against Palermo at the Renzo Barbera Stadium, Gonzalo Higuain scored the lonely goal trough a penalty kick in the 22th minute. With this result the Partenopean squad remain in the second place into the Serie A, three points away of the leaders, Juventus.

Maurizio Sarri’s side starting line-up was: Pepe Reina; Albiol, Koulibaly, Hysaj, Ghoulam; Jorginho, Allan, Hamsik; Insigne, Higuain and Callejon.

During the second half, Dries Mertens, David Lopez and Omar El Kaddouri came in for Callejon, Hamsik and Insigne respectively.

Napoli will play their next match on Sunday, March 20th at the San Paolo Stadium against Genoa into the 30th round of the Serie A.

Argentinos Juniors, first team into the Maradona’s career, is passing for a delicate situation into the Argentinean First Division Tournament, in which they accumulate two draws and four losses, still without victories.

In this context, Diego Maradona sent a video with a message of support for his former club’s players.

“Hi guys, here from Dubai, I want to send a big hug for all the squad. The Argentinos t-shirt should be transpired like all of you are doing. I was lucky to born in this club and later life carried me for all around the world.

I’m going to ask you only one thing: Argentinos fight was always to avoid the relegation, there are a lot of young boys there that I really don’t know, but here from Dubai with my whole family, even with my father, who is in heaven, we are going to be supporting Argentinos Juniors.

Tomorrow all of you must give the best of you, the best that a football player has inside, think with your head, not with your heart, the heart can make you lose a player for a red card, with a cold head we can improve, you are going to show your best football.

I send you a big hug from the distance and I love you so much, guys. I don’t forget where I born as a footballer, with the T-shirt that you are defending now”. Maradona said.

River Plate and Boca Juniors played a boring Superclasico at Monumental Stadium, and both of them let to slip the opportunity to approach the leaders of their respective groups after the 6th round of the Argentinian first division tournament.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s starting-11 was: Agustín Orion; Leonardo Jara, Daniel Diaz, Juan Insaurralde, Jonathan Silva; Pablo Perez, Fernando Gago, Rodrigo Bentancur; Sebastián Palacios, Carlos Tevez and Nicolas Lodeiro.

The match was locked in the midfield and with a few of chances to open the score for any of both teams.

The next Boca’s match will be on Thursday, February 10th when they visit Bolivar from Bolivia into the third round of Group 2 of the Copa Libertadores. The match will be played at the Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz.

Napoli recovered from a three games winless rush after beat Chievo Verona at San Paolo Stadium by 3-1. With this result the Azzurri remain in second place in Serie A, three points away of the leaders Juventus.

Chievo got a quick opening in the 2nd minute after a defensive error from Vlad Chiriches, who tried to dribble past Nicola Rigoni but the Chievo’s midfielder stole the ball and sent a long crossed shoot to beat Reina, but only four minutes later, a good climbing from Faouzi Ghoulam by his side finished in a short cross to Gonzalo Higuain, who stroked net from close range.

In the 38 minute, Jorginho sent a cross from the left to Vlad Chiriches, who made an acrobatically header to stamp the 2-1 before the half-time.

Maurizio Sarri’s side starting line-up was: Pepe Reina; Chiriches, Koulibaly, Hysaj, Ghoulam; Jorginho, David Lopez, Hamsik; Insigne, Higuain and Callejon.

In the 70th minute was José Callejón who scored the final 3-1.

Napoli’s next match will be on Saturday, February 12th, when they visit Palermo into the round 29th of Serie A.

Rodolfo Arruabarena and Guillermo Barros Schelotto

In less than 24 hours, Boca Juniors administration have decided to fire Rodolfo Arruabarrena and to hire Guillermo Barros Schelotto as new coach.

Barros Schelotto had a successful career as a player with Boca, where he won sixteen official titles and became one of the greatest legends ever for the club.

As a coach, Boca will be his third team to manage after training Lanus from 2012 to 2015, a club where he won the South American Cup, and he arrives after a short stage with Italian side Palermo earlier this year, where he just could manage his team four games due to some certificates issues.

Napoli couldn’t beat Fiorentina in their visit to Artemio Franchi Stadium and now they are three points away leaders Juventus.

During the first half, “La Viola” had control of the game and they opened the score in the 6th minute through a header from Marcos Alonso. But only one minute later, the same Alonso made a mistake and gave the ball to Gonzalo Higuain, who sent the ball to the empty net and got the equaliser.

Maurizio Sarri’s side starting line-up was Pepe Reina; Raul Albiol, Kalidou Koulibaly, Elsej Hysaj, Faouzi Ghoulam; Marek Hamsik, Allan, Jorginho; José Callejón, Gonzalo Higuain and Lorenzo Insgne.

During the second half David Lopez, Dries Mertens and Manolo Gabbiadini came in for Allan, Callejon and Higuain respectively.

The Partenopei will play their next match on Saturday, March 5th when they host Chievo Verona at the San Paolo Stadium into the 28th round of the Serie A.

Asif Kapadia, a British filmmaker who is working on a documentary about the life of Diego Maradona, won the Oscar Award from The Academy for his documentary about the British singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse and Diego himself congratulated him from Dubai.

“I like to congratulate the filmmaker Asif Kapadia, who won the Oscar for best documentary. He will be the director of the upcoming documentary about my life”. Diego said.

On February 27th, 1977, Diego Maradona made his debut with Argentina National Team, head coach Cesar Luis Menotti sent him from the bench to the pitch in a friendly against Hungary, in the 65th minute, replacing Leopoldo Luque, the match was played in La Bombonera, Boca Juniors stadium, Diego was aged just 16 years and 4 months.

Argentina’s starting line-up was Gatti; Tarantini, Olguin, Daniel Killer, Carrascosa; Ardiles, Gallego, Villa; Houseman, Luque and Bertoni.

The final score board was 5-1 for Argentina, Bertoni scored a hat-trick and Luque a brace. Maradona had played only 11 games in first division with his club, Argentinos Juniors.

Finally, in his career with his national team, Maradona played 91 games, scoring 34 goals and participating in 4 world cups, winning one of them and being runner-up in another.

Boca Juniors started their participation in the Libertadores Cup 2016 with a goalless draw against Deportivo Cali from Colombia. The match was part of the first round of the Group 3 and was played at the Deportivo Cali Stadium.

It was a typical Libertadores Cup game, jammed at the midfield and with several strong fouls, mostly of them without sanction from the Brazilian referee Pericles Pegado. Due of one of these strong fouls, Nicolas Lodeiro was injured and had to be replaced after 11 minutes by Pablo Pérez.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s starting lineup was Orion; Molina Lucero, Daniel Diaz, Insaurralde, Jonathan Silva; Gago, Cubas, Bentancur; Palacios, Tevez and Lodeiro.

The clearest chance for Boca arrived in the 38th minute when Carlos Tevez sent a strong right foot shoot over the crossbar from a good position and after an individual play.

During the second half Andres Chavez and Marcelo Meli came in for Sebastián Palacios and Fernando Gago respectively.

The next match of Boca Juniors will be next Sunday, February 28th, when they visit Racing Club as part of the fifth round of the Argentina’s first division tournament.

On February 22nd, 1981, Diego Maradona made his official debut in Boca Juniors into a game against Talleres de Córdoba and accomplished his biggest childhood dream. The match was part of the first round of the Metropolitano Tournament and was played at the Boca Juniors Stadium, La Bombonera.

Maradona was not in fit after suffering a muscle strain just a few days before the match, but anyway he was capable to show his incredible skills, scoring two goals and giving two assists to Miguel Brindisi, the final score was 4-1.

Silvio Marzolini´s side starting lineup was: Gatti; Hugo Alves, Acevedo, Mouzo, Córdoba; Trobbiani, Quiróz, Brindisi; Escudero, Maradona and Perotti.

After the match, Diego said: “I arrived to Boca injured and could not give to the people all they expected from me, I gave my best, but since I realized that everyone was waiting for more. Fortunately I could score a brace through penalty kicks against Talleres: The only secret was intuition, before to shoot check out the keeper position and launch to the opposite corner. The truth is that it was a great joy time for me: After tough negotiations finally I’m doing that I really love; Play football”.

Boca Juniors got his second consecutive victory into the Argentina’s first division tournament after beating Newell’s Old Boys with a resounding 4-1. The match was played at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires as part of the 4th round.

Before the 1st minute, the home side was already leading when Sebastian Palacios sent a good cross that Bentancur finalized with a straight shoot. Just five minutes later, Carlos Tevez enlarged the difference with a free kick and the first hald closed with a 3-0 lead for Boca after Jonathan Silva scored the third in the 37th minute.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side starting line-up was Orion; Molina Lucero, Daniel Diaz, Insaurralde, Jonathan Silva; Gago, Cubas, Bentancur; Palacios, Tevez and Lodeiro.

The second half was a bit more balanced and Maximiliano Rodriguez scored the 1-3 in the 55th minute.  Boca quickly recovered the control and Sebastián Palacios scored the 4th for Boca after a great slalom and assistance from Carlos Tevez in the 73rd.

During the second half Pablo Perez, Andres Chavez and Marcelo Meli came in for Gago, Tevez and Cubas respectively.

Boca will play their next match on Thursday, February 25th, when they make their debut into the Libertadores Cup visiting Deportivo Cali in Colombia.

Diego Mendoza and Patricio Toranzo

Diego Maradona showed his support to the Huracán Club players, after the accident that the squad suffered in Venezuela, after a Copa Libertadores match against Caracas FC.

“I want to give my unconditional support to Huracán Club, the head coach Eduardo Dominguez, players Hugo Nervo, Rolfi Montenegro, Marcos Diaz, Wanchope Abila, their technical staff, to everyone. But especially to the players Diego Mendoza and Pato Toranzo. I know they are getting better from the injuries sustained in the accident in Venezuela. I always defended my mates, the players, and I think that is responsibility of FIFA, through CONMEBOL, to provide the minimum security to protect them”, Maradona said.

Boca Juniors achieved their first victory on this 2016 after they beat San Martin de San Juan 1-0. The match was played at the Ingeniero Hilario Sanchez Stadium into the 4^th round of the first division tournament.

In the 37^th  minute, Carlos Tévez scored the goal for Boca.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side line-up was: Orión; Molina Lucero, Daniel Díaz, Insaurralde, Jonathan Silva; Gago, Cubas, Bentancur; Palacios, Osvaldo y Tévez.

During the second half, Nicolas Lodeiro and Marcelo Meli came in for Palacios and Bentancur.

Next match for Boca Juniors will be on Sunday, February 21^st, against Newell’s Old Boys at Bombonera Stadium into the 4^th round of the tournament.

Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images

Maradona was interviewed by Dubai Sports and he said some interesting quotes to highlight

About Prince Ali and FIFA…

“We want football to be clean, fun and entertaining. The scandals and bribes that happened in FIFA have ruined the image of football and took the heart of it”

“Our aim is to retain that passion and make people fall in love with football again.”

“Numerous footballing figures have nominated me to run for the FIFA presidency but I refused because I know Prince Ali would be a much better candidate and I am sure he will manage this federation with dignity and transparency.”

“We will not do an extreme makeover to FIFA as there are some positives that we can take from the previous governance, but we aim to change what is negative in the association and help improving its image.”

About his relationship with Dubai…

“I am happy with my beautiful relationship with Dubai. There are huge sporting events that take place in this city and the Dubai Tour cycling is a perfect example of that”

“I cannot hide the fact that I will stay in Dubai until the day I die as I have a lost a huge part of my family when my mother and father passed away.”

“This city is the right place for me to live normally and have a steady lifestyle. I feel like I am a local citizen and I am proud of that.”

A late winner from the substitute Simone Zaza avoided Napoli to maintain first place into the Serie A standings and also break down a rush of eight consecutive victories for Partenopean squad. The match was played at the Juventus Stadium, in Torino.

Maurizio Sarri’s side starting-11 was Pepe Reina; Raul Albiol, Kalidou Koulibaly, Elsej Hysaj, Faouzi Ghoulam; Marek Hamsik, Allan, Jorginho; José Callejón, Gonzalo Higuain and Lorenzo Insigne.

It was game with a combative first half with no-clear chances to score but during the second half there was one opportunity for each side that Gonzalo Higuaín and Paulo Dybala couldn’t finish, up to the 88th minute when Simone Zaza made the diference with a long and powerful shot that deflected slightly off defender Raul Albiol.

Dries Mertens and Manolo Gabbiadini came in for Napoli during the second half.

With this score, Napoli now ranks second, one point below the “Vecchia Signora” with thirteen rounds remaining to the ending. Napoli will play their next match on Thursday, February 18th, when they visit Villarreal into the first leg of  UEFA Europa League’s 16th finals.

Boca Juniors suffered today a tough defeat after they fell down 0-4 against San Lorenzo into the Argentinean Supercup final, the game was played at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in the province of Cordoba.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side starting-11 was Agustin Orion as keeper; Daniel Diaz, Fernando Tobio and Juan Insaurralde on defense; Gino Peruzzi, Marcelo Meli Andres Cubas, Pablo Perez and Jonathan Silva as midfielders and Carlos Tevez and Andres Chavez as strikers.

The scorers were Fernando Belluschi in the 44th minute, Pablo Barrientos scored a brace, in the 74th and 83rd minutes and the former Boca’s player Nicolas Blandi, with one minute remaining to the end.

Fernando Gago and Daniel Osvaldo came in at the beginning of the second half and later Nicolas Lodeiro did it.

The next match of Boca Juniors will be next Sunday, February 14, when they receive Atletico Tucuman in La Bombonera Stadium into the 2nd round of the first division tournament.

Napoli achieved their eighth victory in a row into the Serie A after defeating Carpi at the San Paolo Stadium by 1-0. With this result, Maurizio Sarri’s team remain as standings leaders, two points clear of Juventus, who beat Frosinone by 2-0.

The home side starting-11 was: Pepe Reina; Albiol, Koulibaly, Hysaj, Ghoulam; Hamsik, Valdifiori, Allan; Callejón, Higuain and Insigne.

Napoli looked too tense at the beginning and during the first half they only had a couple of occasions that Gonzalo Higuain failed to score.

In the second half, the referee Daniele Doveri sent off Carpi’s Raffaele Bianco after show him his second yellow card in the 53rd minute and seemed to open the way for Napoli.

In the 69th minute, Kalidou Koulibaly was pulled of his jersey inside the box and the penalty was converted by Higuain to give quiet back to the local supporters.

During the second half Mertens, El Kaddouri and Gabbiadini came in for Napoli.

Next Saturday, February 13th, a key clash will occur when Napoli visit Juventus in Torino.

Boca Juniors couldn’t break the tie 0-0 against Temperley in his debut into the First Division Tournament of Argentina, in a match played at Club Atlético Banfield’s Florencio Sola Stadium.

Boca Juniors starting-11 was: Orion; Peruzzi, Daniel Diaz, Tobio, Jonathan Silva; Pablo Perez, Meli, Cubas, Lodeiro; Carlos Tevez and Andres Chavez.

Boca had a couple of good chances to open the score, but Tevez first and Lodeiro later missed their opportunities.

During the second half Fernando Gago and Cristian Pavón came in.

The next Boca’s game will be on Thursday, February 11th when they face San Lorenzo at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba into the Argentina Super Cup.

Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain celebrates after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Napoli at Rome’s Olympic stadium, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

On this Wednesday, Napoli got their seventh victory in a row into the Serie A after beating Lazio at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, and remains as leaders with two points clear over Juventus, who achieved a narrowed home victory over Genoa by 1-0.

The Sarri’s side could get the difference in the course of the first half when they scored their two goals: The first through the infallible Gonzalo Higuaín, who received an assist from José María Callejón in the 24th minute and three minutes later it was the same Callejón who has taken a long pass from Lorenzo Insigne to send a beautiful lob over the goalie Marchetti.

Play was stopped for about three minutes in the second half after home fans aimed racist abuse at Napoli’s Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

Napoli will play their next game on Sunday February 7th when they host Carpi at San Paolo Stadium, as part of the Serie A round 24.

The 2016 Dubai Tour was officially inaugurated Tuesday evening with a spectacular ceremony in the presence of Diego Armando Maradona.

The Argentinean legend enjoyed the event in company of Mr. Saeed Hareb,  Chairman of the Dubai Tour organizing committee and General Secretary of the Dubai Sports Council.

Maradona received an original tribute from Tinkoff team, who wore a split Tinkoff /Napoli (1987 version) jersey and Maradona received one as a gift from the team.

It is the third opportunity in which Maradona takes part of the Dubai Tour.

Napoli’s Jose Maria Callejon reacts. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca

Continuing its winning streak, Napoli got an easy 5-1 win over Empoli and remains as leader with a two-point difference over Juventus, after disputing the 22nd round of the Serie A.

Empoli surprised at the San Paolo Stadium and opened the scoring in the 28th minute through a goal from Argentinian Leandro Paredes, but Napoli reacted quickly and only five minutes later got the equalizer through Gonzalo Higuain, who remains top scorer of the tournament.

In the 37th minutes was Lorenzo Insigne who broke the tie to put Napoli 2-1 in advantage and with this result the half time came.

In the second half the home side had the full control on the game and three more goals came: Michele Camporese with an own goal in the 51st minute 6 minutes and a brace from Spaniard José Callejón (83′ and 88′).

Napoli will play next Wednesday, February 3rd when they visit Lazio into the 23rd round at the Rome Olympic Stadium.

In light of recent reports indicating that Diego Maradona had withdrawn his support to the candidacy of Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein for FIFA President, the football legend had taken steps to deny this first-hand and clarify the situation.

“I would like to clarify that the rumors that indicate that I am no longer working with Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein are completely false. Next Monday we will meet to continue working on his candidacy as president of FIFA.” Diego Maradona explained, adding. “I am with him to the death, because he is a good person and a hard worker. He is not like men before him who left  FIFA through the back door and never return… And I never betray .”

The Extraordinary FIFA Congress and presidential election is scheduled to take place on February 26^th  in Zurich, Switzerland.

Diego Maradona attended the 6^th edition of the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, individual honors given by the UAE vice-president and prime minister and ruler of Dubai.

The argentine legend was received for Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Al Maktoum, son of Sheikh Mohamed, and he participated in the different activities developed at the Dubai World Trade Center.

Maradona attended at a press conference held at Mina Salam hotel on the occasion of announcing the 10th Dubai International Sports Conference. As usual, Diego showed himself clever and original in his responses.

When asked about who deserves to win the Globe Soccer Award to the Player of the Year (The short-listed are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon), Diego said “Messi and Cristiano are equally good with the ball, so I really cannot make up my mind which of them should get it.”

Maradona arrived with a shirt with the inscription “Dubai is my home” and was asked about the relationship with this city: “I live a quiet life here. There´s no one to disturb me, I can go out to the supermarket and no one encroaches on my privacy. I am very happy in this city and I can live here for the rest of my life. ”

Coinciding with news of the ban to Joseph Blatter and Michel Platini, the obvious question about it came and Diego replied: “I have been shouting hoarse about the crooks and corruption in FIFA for the past so many years, but no one heard me. Today, everything is out in the open and we all know who the saints are and who the crooked ones are. Some of these people [an oblong reference to his long-time opponent Blatter] don’t have any experience in football. This is our sport and we need to guard this part of it.”

And, finally, Maradona joked again: “My candidate is Prince Ali. He is an honest man and he can do a good job as FIFA president. If he does not, then maybe I should become the president.”

On the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the Green March Diego Maradona participated in a gala match along with other international legends in a game of American-European vs African-Arab stars.

The African-Arab team included the presence of Moroccan Mustapha Hadji, Ghanaian Abedi Pelé, Liberian George Weah, Egyptians Ahmed Aboutrika, Nader Said and Mahmoud Al-Khatib, Cameroonian Patrice M’Boma, Saudis Sami Al-Jaber and Said Laawirane, Tunisian Jamal Limame, as well as Guineans Tita Camara and Pascal Feindouno.

The American-European team was comprised of Argentine Diego Maradona, Italians Alessandro Altobelli and Francesco Toldo, Brazilians Gilberto Silva and Edmilson, Uruguayan Daniel Fonseca, as well as French stars Sylvain Wiltord, Grégory Coupet, Basile Boli, Daniel Bravo, and Jocelyn Angloma.

The legendary football gala match was an event for charity played in Laâyoune’s stadium in the presence of more than 25,000 Moroccans.

Diego Maradona accepted the appointment of president for Latin America of the Football for Unity foundation, a post bestowed on him by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.

“I am Diego Armando Maradona. I want to greet Your Majesty, the Queen, and the British Parliament, and to inform you that I wholeheartedly accept the appointment you gave me for the foundation in Latin America,” said Maradona.

“Rest assured that the children of Latin America are going to be well taken care of by me. I thank you deeply for the trust you have placed in me,” he added.

Maradona spoke for the British Parliament and was applauded for its members.

“I want the best for the children. We’re all going to make the children smile, and that will be our reward. There’s not going to be any corruption here, I can assure you of that,” Maradona said.

He said that those working with Football for Unity will overcome the barriers of cultural, social and religious prejudices that separate people, converting itself into a pathway to peace and coexistence.

The organization helps children all over the world with the support of several countries, the British crown and FIFA.

Diego was present at the King Power Stadium in Leicester City to support Argentina national rugby team, known as “Los Pumas” as they were contesting their third game into the World Cup of this sport, which is being held in the United Kingdom.

Maradona witnessed the entire game, which  ended with a victory for Argentina over Tonga national team by 45-16, and at the end of the game Maradona went to the locker room where he offered a motivational speech and gratitude for the players, to close dancing together the classic Maradona song “The hand of God”

Diego has paid his respects to the late Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed, the eldest son of the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

“I met the late Sheikh Rashid at the Dubai World Cup and we spoke about a range of sporting issues,” Maradona said.

“I realized at the time that he was a sports expert and highly cultivated. At the time, I was Al Wasl’s coach.

He told me that he had admired me from an early age and he loved my game. He even discussed details of matches I had played a long time ago with the Argentinean team.

The late Sheikh Rashid asked me if we could play together in a friendly match sometime. And, because I loved him so much, I gave him one of my jerseys with the number 10” Maradona said.

He once asked me to create a training program for him so we could train together. He was very enthusiastic about matches and training. I would ask about him regularly.

I knew he was a first-class athlete and I was impressed with him. I wished we could have worked together. I was deeply shocked to hear about his passing,” he said.

Sheikh Rashid died of a heart attack on September 19th. He was 33.

In September 1995, Diego Maradona agreed to return to his beloved Boca Juniors after 13 years of absence and now, 20 years later, he decided to remember that special moment of his career with a celebration in the privacy of his home. Of course there was a Boca Juniors cake and a t-shirt to accompany the nice moment.

Diego Maradona continues his training looking ahead Match for Peace, which will be held in Rome on October 10. The routine is daily and consist in gym work, football games and swimming. Every step into his workout is followed closely by his personal trainer.

The Match for Peace is part of a series of interreligious matches with the participation of a large number of past and present world football stars.

On September 7, 1979, Argentina national team won the Under-20 World Cup in Japan and Diego Maradona achieved the first title of his career. Argentina played six matches at the tournament winning all of them. Scoring 20 goals and receiving only 2 against.

The final match was against Soviet Union in the Tokyo Olympic Stadium and Argentina won the game 3-1, one of the goals was scored by Diego through a free kick. Finally Maradona received the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament.

29 years after World Cup Mexico, Diego Maradona traveled to Tunisia to meet again with Ali Bin Nasser, referee of the match against England, in which Maradona scored the two most important goals of the history: Hand of God and Goal of the Century.

The emotive meeting was at the house of the former international referee, aged 71, and was marked for exchanging anecdotes and signing of gifts for both parties. Maradona signed a t-shirt for Bin Nasser with the sentence: “For Ali, my eternal friend”

Napoli, the fourth team in the career of Maradona, was founded on August 1st, 1926 under the name of “Associazione Calcio Napoli” and in 1964 changed its name to the definitive “Societá Sportiva Calcio Napoli”

The team couldn’t achieve any first division league in Italy (“Scudetto”) until the arrival of Diego Armando Maradona, who played with the blue team from 1984 until 1991, obtaining several trophies with the club. Even to this day Maradona still is the top scorer into the Napoli’s history.

In 2000, Napoli decided to remove the number 10 shirt in tribute to Maradona.

Happy Birthday, Napoli!

After a meeting with Pope Francis, Diego Maradona announced a new interreligious match for peace to be played in Rome, during the first days of October.

Following the great success obtained with the first game, played on September 1st, 2014 at the Olympic Stadium, the best football players in the world will be present in this new historic and engaging appointment.

Players as Ronaldinho, Alessandro Del Piero, Javier Mascherano, Roberto Baggio, Carlos Valderrama, Javier Zanetti, Diego Simeone, Diego Lugano, James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao, Andre Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, Paolo Maldini, Samuel Eto’o and many others are committed to be part of the event.

After showing his support to the bid of Sheikh Ali Bin Al Hussein during the last FIFA congress and following the corruption case inside the main football federation, now Diego Maradona is ready to introduce himself as candidate for the presidency.

“I warned about this situation 20 years ago and people said I was crazy”, Maradona said. “I’m going for FIFA, really I have to fight against the corruption and I have the support of the players.”

The next FIFA congress will be celebrated on February 26th, 2016.

Last June 22nd, the world of football celebrated the 29th anniversary of the greatest individual goal ever, it was called “The Goal of the Century.”

In front of an incredible attendance of 114.580 spectators at Azteca Stadium, Maradona scored his goal after 55 minutes in the match against England, into the quarter-finals of the World Cup Mexico 1986.

Just four minutes after his first goal, Maradona began a 60-yard, 10-second dash towards the English net, passed five English outfield players -Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher (twice) and Terry Fenwick- and he finished the move with a feint that left goalkeeper Peter Shilton on his backside, before slotting the ball into the net to make the score 2–0 to Argentina.

The match finished with an Argentina 2-1 England scoreboard and just one week later Argentina was crowned World Champions.