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19 April 2024

Roll over Beethoven - Maradona blasts Pele

Brazil legend Pele (left) autographs a Brazilian football shirt for young people from the charity 'Street League' in the gardens of 10 Downing Street in London, on Wednesday. (AFP)

Published
By AFP

Diego Maradona kept up his attack on fellow World Cup winner Pele on Thursday by mocking the Brazilian legend's suggestion that he was the Beethoven of football.

"Beethoven! Never have I heard Beethoven on the pitch. The truth is they must have changed his medication," Maradona was quoted on the Al-Wasl website, the Emirati club which he coaches.

Pele had told the official FIFA website: "I was born for football, like Beethoven was born for music or Michelangelo was for painting."

But Maradona hit back.

"In that case, I am Ron Wood, Keith Richards and Bono rolled into one because I am the embodiment of passion in football."

Maradona also shrugged off comparisons with Argentine compatriot Lionel Messi who this week scored a record-setting 234th goal for Barcelona.

"It's not for me to say who is the best or the worst. I have always said a thousand times to leave Messi in peace," said Maradona.

"Above everything else, the good thing when we talk about Messi and me is that there is a coloured man at FIFA who isn't happy that we are being discussed," he added in another barb at Pele.