London, Mar. 21 : Argentina football team coach Diego Maradona has offered to help fallen England football hero Paul Gascoigne kick the booze habit.

According to the Daily Star, Maradona has invited Gazza to his home to ensure that he stays sober.

Maradona, 48, who has beaten cocaine addiction, reckons he is the perfect influence to keep the England legend on the wagon.

Gazza, 41, revealed in a TV interview how he was contacted by Maradona, whose infamous "Hand of God" goal knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup.

Buenos Aires  - Talented midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme's decision to refuse to play for Argentina in the future has strengthened Diego Maradona's control over the national team and his position in the face of internal conflicts.

Riquelme announced his decision late Tuesday, but it hardly upset many fans in the football-crazy South American country. A few people backed the player at the Boca Juniors training session Wednesday, but an online poll in the Argentine daily Clarin said that 62.5 per cent of those who replied were in favour of Riquelme's exit.

London, Feb.

Madrid (Spain), Feb.

Buenos Aires - Argentina coach Diego Maradona on Friday named Barcelona striker Lionel Messi "the best (player) in the world," even through Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned 2008 World Footballer.

"I voted for Cristiano Ronaldo, Adebayor and Ibrahimovic, because I could not vote for Messi," said Maradona. "Logically, the best in the world, for me, is Messi."

London, Jan. 12 : Argentinian football boss Diego Maradona triggered off an alarm at 7 a. m. on Sunday by puffing on a Havana (cigar), and is now being blamed for Chelsea''s defeat against Manchester United, as the team was staying in the same hotel as the Argentinians.

According to The Sun, the alert led to 200 guests being evacuated from the posh hotel in Manchester where Chelsea were staying before their match with Manchester United.

Chelsea lost the match three goals to nil at Old Trafford following their night of shattered kip.