Maradona is a famous fan of Cuba president Fidel Castro, he also met Venezuela president Hugo Chavez, an ally to the anti-US imperialism president Ahmadnejad.

"I've already met Fidel and Chavez, now I need to meet your president. I'd like to meet Ahmadinejad," he told Iranian diplomat Mohsen Baharvand on air on Monday.

"I'm there with the people of Iran, really with all my heart."

The former Napoli ace, who is an outspoken critic of the George W. Bush administration, gave a shirt with signature to another Iranian diplomat on Saturday during the mini-match Showbol tournament.