Maradona declines offer to commentate with Pele

Rio de Janeiro May 31 (IANS) Maradona has declined an offer to join his long-time rival Pele as a guest commentator for Brazil s friendly against Argentina in Australia next week.

The Brazilian Football Confederation approached the Argentine legend earlier this month after securing exclusive broadcasting rights for Brazil s international friendlies Xinhua reported on Tuesday citing the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper.

But the 56-year-old cited his commitments as the coach of United Arab Emirates outfit Al-Fujairah for his decision to turn down the proposal the report said.

Widely regarded as the greatest footballers in history Pele and Maradona have often traded insults amid a decades-long global debate about who was better.

Pele scored a world record 1 279 career goals in 1 363 matches and is the only player to win three World Cups.

Maradona is credited for almost single-handedly taking Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and transformed Napoli from Italian minnows into dual Serie A champions.

Brazil will meet Argentina at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 9 before a clash with Australia at the same venue four days later.

--IANS
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