his own celebrity chat show - the Maradona Show - to be broadcast live here
from next month.
The 41-year-old hero of Argentina's 1986 World Cup triumph will interview key
figures from the world of politics and showbusiness including Cuban leader
Fidel Castro in a series likened to David Letterman's Late Show in the United
States.
The 'Maradona Show' will be broadcast on local channel America, where the
former Argentina captain will be given free reign to stamp his personality and
pursue his interests.
"I'm always being interviewed. Now I want to be the one who asks the
questions and ask about everything and anything," said the retired star who
has battled back from drug addiction.
The former Naples player will appear before the cameras seated behind a
writing desk or sitting on a couch. He will produce the show along with his
friend and representative Guillermo Coppola.
The programme will also be presented live animated by a rock band led by
Argentine musician Fabian Quintiero, while Maradona will sing the opening
and closing credits himself.
The soccer star has never been shy about giving his opinion on all subjects
and has sparred verbally with international soccer bosses, while more recently
he attacked the US for its 40-year-old trade embargo on Cuba which he
likened to the September 11 terror blitz on US targets.
"I prefer the Cuba of Castro ten times more than the America of Bush," said
Maradona.
Maradona is also intending to produce and present a programme on golf while
a musical programme is also in the pipeline.