FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.01.2009 20:23

Maradona in the box

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Diego Armando Maradona, manager of the Argentina national team, was at the Camp Nou tonight to watch the game between Barça and Mallorca. The legendary player arrived just three minutes before kick off.

Having previously played for FC Barcelona, Diego Armando Maradona has returned to the Camp Nou, this time in the guise of Argentina manager. After arriving at El Prat airport in Barcelona, Maradona quickly headed for the Camp Nou and took his seat in the presidential box shortly before the game was due to start.

With Laporta and Messi

President Joan Laporta went over to Diego Armando Maradona to welcome him, and then the Argentinian took his seat. Moments later he was joined by Leo Messi, who was not named in the squad and instead took a seat next to his national coach to watch the game unfold.

Thrilled to be back

At half time, Maradona signed a number 10 shirt from his own time at Barça, the one now on display in the museum. He did this in the presidential lounge, watched by President Joan Laporta and other club directors.

Maradona said he was thrilled to be back and listening to the famous anthem. He played for Barcelona from 1882-1984 and said that it was also hard in those days to beat teams that came to the Camp Nou with their minds so set on defending, and was particularly graphic when he said "all rival goalkeepers suddenly become super-keepers. They came here and stopped everything". Joan Laporta added that he remembers the day Maradona signed for Barça as if it had been yesterday, though in fact 26 years have gone by. "That was a very important day for Barça fans” he said.