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Maradona will run naked if Argentina wins Cup

Coach and former superstar makes remark 16 days before start of tourney

Image: Maradona MARCOS BRINDICCI / Reuters
Argentina coach Diego Maradona celebrates his team's third goal during their friendly match against Canada in Buenos Aires on May 24.
updated 11:43 a.m. ET May 26, 2010

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Diego Maradona has promised to run naked through the center 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 Monday in its 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 tall monument that marks the center of the city and serves as its most famous 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 kicked — you can imagine where," Maradona said.

Maradona has the luxury of choosing between some of the world's best forwards. In addition to Messi, he can use Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, Sergio Aguero and Martin Palermo.

Argentina plays in Group B, opening against Nigeria on June 12. The team also faces Greece and South Korea.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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