Diego’s naked ambition

DIEGO MARADONA has promised to run naked through the centre of Buenos Aires if Argentina wins the World Cup.

The Argentina coach made the promise during a radio show. The unpredictable Maradona was speaking a day after Argentina defeated Canada 5-0 in their final warm-up match before the World Cup.

“If we win the World Cup, I’ll get naked and run around the Obelisk,” he said, referring to the famous city centre landmark.

Maradona’s response came after a reporter asked him in the interview what he would do if his team returned to Argentina with its third World Cup title.

In the same interview, Maradona said he had to explain to Lionel Messi why he did not play against Canada. Messi is the reigning FIFA player of the year, but sat out the match to protect him against any possible injury.

“If something would have happened to you in that match, I’d have been shot – you know where,’’ Maradona said he told Messi.

Maradona has the luxury of choosing between some of the world’s best forwards, including Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, Sergio Aguero and Martin Palermo. Argentina open their Group B campaign against Nigeria on June 12, and also face Greece and South Korea.