Diego Maradona quotes:

Everybody in Argentina can remember 'the hand of God' in the England match in the 1986 World Cup. Now, in my country, the 'hand of God' has brought us an Argentinian pope.

I like English football, always have. It's just that people go on about the World Cup in 1986 and then I'm seen as the real bad boy.

The problem is that they are all stars at Madrid. You need someone to carry the water to the well.

The goal was scored a little bit by the hand of God, another bit by the head of Maradona.

I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius.

If I could apologise and go back and change history I would do. But the goal is still a goal, Argentina became world champions and I was the best player in the world.

Everybody in Argentina can remember the hand of God in the England match in the 1986 World Cup. Now, in my country, the hand of God has brought us an Argentinian pope.

Things are neither clear nor clean in the world of football right now and many people recognise this reality.

There would be no debate about who was the best footballer the world had ever seen - me or Pele. Everyone would say me.

In the end, it is about whether God wants us to be in the final, but I know that is what God wants. This time we will not need the Hand of God, because it is the will of God.

I certainly have an advantage over some because I can pass on so much from the World Cups I played in.

If I could apologise and go back and change history I would do. But the goal is still a goal, Argentina became world champions and I was the best player in the world

Carlitos is amazing. He does what he wants with the Arabs. He tells them "I want to go to Buenos Aires" and they say "No, Carlitos, stay here now, we'll give you more money". And then he gets more money!

My mother thinks I am the best. And I was raised to always believe what my mother tells me.

I'd give my life to be the national team coach.

I was waiting for my teammates to embrace me and no one came, ... I told them, 'Come hug me or the referee isn't going to allow it.'

To see my country lose a football match is very hard for someone who has worn the shirt.

Stoichkov is a great person and an exceptional player... Only if we had him at Napoli... can you imagine the Stoichkov-Maradona attacking duo?

To see the ball, to run after it, makes me the happiest man in the world.

God makes me play well. That is why I always make the sign of the cross when I walk out onto the field. I feel I would be betraying Him if I didn't.

I am Maradona, who makes goals, who makes mistakes. I can take it all, I have shoulders big enough to fight with everybody.

When God decides its time, I guess he'll come for us.

All the people that criticised me should eat their words.

My mother thinks I am the best. And I was raised to always believe what my mother tells me

When I wear the national team shirt, its sole contact with my skin makes it stand on an end.

What I love most about Norway is you ladies. Back home I'm used to fat and hairy women journalists.

I am black or white, I'll never be grey in my life.

While the coach is entitled to celebrate the team's victories, there is a manner and a way of doing so without aggravating the opponent

At the moment there are some England players who are the stars of their club teams, but not for their country. It's difficult to explain.

I'm not desperate but I know that some day I'll be the coach again of some team.

Messi scores a goal and celebrates. Cristiano scores a goal and poses like he's in a shampoo commercial.

While the coach is entitled to celebrate the team's victories, there is a manner and a way of doing so without aggravating the opponent.

Beckham is a nice man and I'm sure he will reach 100 appearances for England. But he is just a good player, nothing more.

God makes me play well. That is why I always make the sign of a cross when I walk out on to the pitch. I feel I would be betraying him if I didn't.

Of course in the first matches you are more careful, perhaps more careful than you should be.

When you win, you don't get carried away. But if you go step by step, with confidence, you can go far.

When people succeed, it is because of hard work. Luck has nothing to do with success.

The Lord helps those who help themselves.

The Manchester Derby is bigger and more important than El Classico.

I'm alive and I want to keep living.

My legitimate kids are Dalma and Giannina. The rest are a product of my money and mistakes.

Pele should go back to the museum.

To see the ball, to run after it, makes me the happiest man in the world

It was as if we had beaten a country, more than just a football team.

I hate everything that comes from the United States. I hate it with all my strength.

I was, I am and I always will be a drug addict. A person who gets involved in drugs has to fight it everyday.

Even if there was a hand, it was the hand of God.

People who say that only young people voted on the Internet, those who didn't see Pele play, forget that children are not orphans. There's always a father who buys the computer and perhaps influences their vote. I won the people's vote.

Something that just came out of me. It was a bit of mischief.

He's a leader and is offering lessons in beautiful football. He has something different to any other player in the world.

If you don't want to play clean football then go up into the stands

I have 23 top players and they are all ready to put on the jersey and work on the pitch and that makes you happy and then you have peace of mind.

Many people agree with me that many things are not clear in football these days and it is not something people who watch football deserve. The situation will be the same while football is run by people who do not understand football

Messi I think is like me, he is the best in the world along with Ronaldinho.

Of course in the first matches you are more careful, perhaps more careful than you should be

I gave all I had. Now I want to enjoy my family.

You were only a goalkeeper.

I'll be too old to face a difficult championship as the one in America will surely be.

Money is not a motivating factor. I do what comes to me at that moment.