Diego Maradona has been spotted at every Argentina match so far in Russia – and is getting paid for the privilege, according to reports.
The 1986 World Cup winner has been a mix of enjoyment and crazy antics in the stands during the tournament, including making an racist gesture to a group of South Korean fans.
But Fifa are shelling out £10,000 per match to have the Argentine legend in attendance, coming as part of president Gianni Infantino’s legends scheme, as per Daily Mail.
The former UEFA general secretary wants at least one former superstar from each nation at the World Cup to provide an ambassadorial role in their country’s games.
The concept is to mix the past and the present, hoping plenty of exposure warrants their pay checks, while expenses are paid for travel and accommodation.
And Maradona is certainly meeting his quota, becoming of figure of hilarity and controversy.
It did not take long for the former Napoli and Barcelona forward to make headlines, smoking a cigar during Argentina’s first match against Iceland, despite it being a ‘tobacco-free World Cup’.
In the same game, Maradona was spotted stretching his eyes to the side in a racial gesture to some South Korean fans, who had only called out his name ‘Diego’.
In the final match, he was seen swearing at the crowd after Marcos Rojo scored the winner against Nigeria that sent Argentina through to the knockout stages.
That was followed by him being carried out and rushed to hospital after reportedly going on a wine binge.
