- Cyprus : Gas spoils to be shared before a settlement
- Greece : Our View: Troika stance condemning Greece to fall into anarchy
- Cyprus : Turk naval exercises a real danger in the region
- accident : UK plane lands on wrong runway in Paphos
- culture : Blast from the future: imagining the news in a reunified Cyprus...
- 2012 : Commerce Minister, EU energy head discuss post Mari energy...
- Argentina : Argentine football great Maradona in Limassol
- church : Church ‘cutting down on expenses’
- Cancer : Government to tackle cancer treatment shortcomings
- Cyprus : Palaeontology event to explore Cypriot prehistory
Argentine football great Maradona in Limassol
Related content
FORMER Argentina national coach and football legend Diego Maradona is expected to arrive in Cyprus today in what is believed to be a leisure trip.
Maradona, who is currently coaching Dubai-based Al Wahl football club, was anticipated to depart for Cyprus after his team’s league game against Emirates yesterday, and is expected to remain here until Sunday.
The 1986 World Cup winner will be staying at Limassol’s Le Meridien Hotel, which due to its high profile guest; will be under strict security measures.
Maradona’s spontaneous visit has taken everyone by surprise, including the Cyprus Football Association (KOP), which declared complete ignorance on the matter.
KOP denied endeavouring to invite Maradona, but did not rule out an impromptu commemorative ceremony for the legend’s visit if circumstances allow.
The now 50-year-old football great is still worshipped in Argentina for captaining the national team to glory in the 1986 World Cup final against West Germany, and in helping the team reach the World Cup final again in 1990 where it lost to the same opponents.
His highly distinguished career included winning league and continental titles with Barcelona, Napoli and his boyhood club Boca Juniors.
Idolised by fans worldwide for his exquisite technique and bullish attitude, Maradona is still widely regarded as one of the best footballers in the world, alongside Brazilian legend Pele.
Maradona’s visit follows the UEFA Executive Committee’s meeting; which was officially concluded yesterday and attended by its president, Michel Platini.
With the UEFA meeting also being held at the Le Meridien, it was touted Maradona could be visiting the island to attend, but while the Argentine maestro could theoretically do so as an honorary guest, the scenario appears unlikely.
