. . World News – UK – After Maradona’s death, his opinion of America resurfaces: « I hate everything about the U. . S.. . «  »

Following the announcement of his death on Wednesday, the politics of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has resurfaced, with many debating the player’s relationship with controversial leaders. Amid the discussion and praise for the star, a controversial opinion has resurfaced in which he expressed his hatred of the United States.

The footballer was famous on the left and publicly supported controversial leaders such as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who was a member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, and former Cuban leader Fidel Castro. It was in 2007 when he made the controversial statements about the U.. S.. . according to Chavez.

As Reuters reported at the time, Maradona appeared on a talk show by the Venezuelan president, who also criticized the U.. S.. . « I hate everything that comes from the USA. I hate it with all my might, « said Maradona to the applause of the audience.

It wasn’t the first time he criticized the U.. S.. . or the then President George W. . bush. In 2005 he put on a « Stop Bush » T-shirt (with the « s » in « Bush » as a swastika) to protest the president’s visit to Argentina. « As an Argentine, I am proud to reject the presence of this human garbage, George Bush, » he said, according to The Guardian.

A decade after appearing on Chavez ‘show, Maradona was still voicing concerns about the U. . S.. . During an appearance in Russia, he compared President Donald Trump to « a cartoon character », but praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a leader on an equal footing with Chavez and Castro. « I think that after Chavez and Fidel, Putin, along with [Nicaraguan President Daniel] Ortega and [then Bolivian President] Evo [Morales], represents the ‘top division’ of political leaders, » he said in 2017, according to Russian outlet RT.

He also talked about other powerful countries and the U. . S.. . no longer being « the county sheriff ». « He also said at the time that Trump’s presidency could lead to war. « When you see cartoon characters like Trump, you think that if such a man put it in his head, we could all become enemies, » he said.

While attacking Trump, he once again praised Putin, saying that he thought the Russian leader could « bring peace to many in this world ». « 

America is not alone when it comes to receiving its wrath. Maradona also expressed problems with the Catholic Church, especially greed, which he perceived in it. In an episode documented by The Independent in 2005, he criticized Pope John Paul II. He thought it hypocritical that the Vatican should own priceless art while claiming to care for the poor. « I was in the Vatican and saw the golden ceilings. And then I hear the Pope say that the Church is worried about poor children. In order to? Sell ​​the blankets, buddy! You have nothing for you. You were just a goalkeeper, « he said.

Although he may have been inspired by John Paul II. When he was exhausted, Pope Francis, also an Argentine, helped him return to the faith. « I had left the church, but Francisco brought me back, » he said in 2016, according to El Pais.

As mentioned earlier, Maradona’s admiration for Castro was well documented, even if he felt disaffected with U.. S.. . or church leaders. When the Cuban leader died in 2016, the former world champion spoke ardently about him. « I cried uncontrollably, » said Maradona at the time, according to Reuters. « After my father it is the deepest sorrow I know. « 

Maradona spent four years in Cuba trying to give up a drug habit. He said Castro contacted him regularly to discuss sports and politics. The soccer player gave the leader a lot of credit for helping him get clean. « He opened Cuba’s doors for me when clinics in Argentina closed them because they didn’t want Maradona’s death in their hands, » he said. « He said I could do it and I did it. And here I am talking about him. « 

Maradona admired Castro so much that he had his face tattooed. He also wore a tattoo of the Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara on his arm.

Tragic news. The legendary Argentine soccer player Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60. Maradona was a revolutionary and committed anti-imperialist. He was a friend of Castro and Hugo Chavez (with tattoos of Fidel and Che) and an advocate of the poor and the oppressed. image. Twitter. com / TxeEQAnUlp

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Fidel Castro, Cuba, Diego Maradona, Cuban Revolution