Cheerio Diego!

There have been some brilliant characters in the World Cup over the years but this year Maradona was forever the main talking point, bouncing around on the touchline looking ridiculous in his suit. Here are a few of his World Cup Highlights:

• 20th May- Diego arrives an hour late to announce his 23 man squad. While entering, he drives his car over a photographer's foot, 'What an arsehole you are!' he shouts. 'How can you put your leg there where it can get run over'. He excludes Zanetti and Cambiasso who go on to win the Champions League final 2 days later. He included Ariel Garce, a 4 cap defender who's side finished 13th in the Argentinian League and has already made plans to travel to South Africa as a fan


• 23rd May- The press don't like the team Diego picks to play Canada but after a 5-0 win, Diego says 'I don't care what you people think about me as a manager. I couldn't care less. I've got my 23 players and I'm ready to die with them'


• 23rd May- He is asked about his new beard. He says 'I grew it because my dog almost ate my mouth and left me a big scar'. It later emerged that Diego startled the dog by trying to kiss it and later had to undergo plastic surgery


• 10th June- With 2 days before Argentina's first game, reporters ask Diego how he has been sleeping. 'You must ask this question of my girlfriend' he replies. 'Because she would tell you that she wakes up every night to find me writing down players' names'


• 16th June- Pele and Platini have reportedly criticised Maradona's coaching ability. Diego reacts saying 'I would tell Pele to go back to the museum. I'm not suprised by what Platini said. I always had a distant relationship with him. We all know what the French are like and Platini is French. He thinks he is better than the rest. I pay no attention. These two- have they nothing more important to do than talk rubbish about me?'
  

• 17th June- A journalist asks, in English, about Maradona's effectionate embraces for his players (he hugged and kissed every player as they entered and left the stadium). The loose translation provokes a wide-eyed response. 'No! I like women! I'm dating Veronica. She is 31. She is blonde. She is very pretty'
  


• 22nd June- After their 2-0 win over Greece, Diego said 'I would ask all FIFA directors to stop talking about me and to start working on having a proper football. This ball is useless. It's impossible to control'


• 26th June- Diego has a go at the Argentinian journalists who wrote off his side in qualifying. Having beaten Uruguay to clinch qualification in October, Maradona told the pundits to 'take it up the arse', then grabbed his crotch and said the worlds media should 'suck it and keep on sucking'. FIFA banned him for 2 months. He says 'I am a grown up, an adult, I don't hold grudges. But what makes me mad is when people lack respect'


• 28th June- Diego says that Messi's treatment by opposition sides is similar to his treatment by hardman Claudio Gentile in the 1982 World Cup. Gentile responds saying 'I have to agree with Pele and Platini. Maradona is a charlatan not a coach. I have never been sent off for violent play- just the once for handball. He's just a baffoon'


• 1st July- Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger says Argentina are 'disrespectful' and 'bully referees'. Diego replies in his best German accent 'What's the matter Schweinsteiger? Are you nervoushh?' Schweinsteiger goes on to be Germany's best player as they thrash Argentina 4-0
  

It's sad to see such a character leave the tournament but although he is a laugh, lets be honest, he's a bit of a mug...