Published 15:56 IST, October 30th 2019
Diego Maradona turns 59: Argentina legend watches match from throne
Maradona was presented with a framed painting, a canvas artwork, a Newell's shirt and a throne which he signed - before the match at a Marcelo Bielsa Stadium.
When you talk about legends, Diego Maradona is one player that pops up in a jiffy. He was welcomed like a king when he took his side Gimnasia de La Plata to face his former club Newell’s Old Boys. Interestingly, Gimnasia were bottom of the table before the game. Their 4-0 win over Newell’s Old Boys means that the Rosario side has been defeated twice this season.
Prior to Maradona's appointment, Gimnasia had a winless start to the campaign before collecting seven points from 11 games this season.
Diego Maradona's coaching stints
The former Argentina coach quit his job at Mexican second-division outfit Dorados in June for health reasons after just nine months in charge. Apart from that, he coached second-division Emirati side Fujairah and Argentina national side from 2008-2010, which also saw him taking his country to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa before losing 4-0 to Germany.
Maradona, who was appointed Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata manager last month, played briefly for Newell Old Boys in 1993. Maradona had a spell as a player at Newell's from 1993-1994 and made a speech to supporters prior to the game, who warmly applauded him and sang his name.
On his arrival, Maradona was presented with a framed painting, a canvas artwork, a Newell's shirt and a throne - which he signed - before the match at a packed Marcelo Bielsa Stadium.
The 1986 World Cup winner watched the entire game while sitting on the throne as his side won the match 4-0. The victory comes a day before the Argentina legend turned 59.
Updated 17:51 IST, October 30th 2019