Diego Schwartzman talks about his relationship with football legend Diego Maradona

Argentinian tennis star Diego Schwartzman, who shares the first part of his name with departed football legend Diego Maradona, in a recent interview talked about his admiration and devotion towards his late friend.

When asked how many times he has watched Maradona’s legendary goal against Mexico in the 1987 FIFA World Cup, Schwartzman promptly answered with “at least a 1000 times”.

I have watched Maradona’s goal on YouTube, maybe a 1,000 times: Schwartzman

Diego (Schwartzman) watched *that* Diego (Maradona's) goal at least 1000 times.https://t.co/4QAyLL0Cvf
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 1, 2021

That moment from Argentina’s World Cup campaign took ‘EL Diego’ to the pinnacle of greatness and made him a demigod to his countrymen back home.

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During his interview ahead of his opening ATP Cup match against Russian Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday, the ninth-ranked Schwartzman said, “I (was) born in 1992, so I watch (Maradona’s goal) on YouTube. I don’t know, maybe a 1,000 times.”

He further revealed that he keeps hearing the songs that fans of Maradona back home composed to celebrate the “Goal of the Century”.

Schwartzman said he has also heard many stories about that goal, adding that for him, Maradona is one of the best that the world of sports has ever seen and his feats and accomplishments will live through time.

“Maradona was one of the best in the history (of) sports, I think the best”, Schwartzman said, adding that what the soccer god means to Argentina is “too much” and can’t be put in words.

Diego Schwartzman talks about texting with Maradona on WhatsApp

Diego added that he was close to the football genius, often exchanging messages on WhatsApp.

“For me, I had a good relation with him, with messages and WhatsApp relation because I didn’t meet him in the last few years,” the Argentine said.

He also mentioned that many of his teammates for the ATP Cup, like Guido Pella, met Maradona when he came to cheer for his country in the Davis Cup.

Schwartzman, who is carrying his country’s dreams in the team event in Brisbane, will be under pressure to get one past the Russian as he has never beaten Medvedev in five head-to-head encounters.

Also Read:Dominic Thiem ‘not too happy’ with his ATP Cup opening match.