Maradona’s son says last name not a burden

A son of football legend Diego Maradona has said he does not feel burdened by his famous father’s last name and was looking to strike a deal to play for a club in Uruguay.

Published : Dec 24, 2015 16:15 IST

Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona gestures as he watches the Rugby World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and Australia in October.

A son of football legend Diego Maradona has said he does not feel burdened by his famous father’s last name and was looking to strike a deal to play for a club in Uruguay.

Diego Armando Maradona Sinagra, who was determined to be the soccer legend’s son in a paternity case in Italy even though the latter says he is not the father, made the remarks to Montevideo-based El Pais, reports Efe.

“The player takes the field, not the last name,” said the 29-year-old attacking midfielder, son of the Argentine soccer great Maradona and former model Cristiana Sinagra, on Wednesday.

Born on September 20, 1986, in Naples while his father was playing for Napoli, Maradona Sinagra said he had received several offers from Uruguayan clubs but was treating those processes with the “seriousness” they deserve and would therefore not reveal their names.

“If the offer is good from a soccer and economic standpoint, I wouldn’t have any problem,” he said about the possibility of playing in Uruguay.

At the moment, he and the clubs remain “quite far apart” in terms of both the soccer and money aspects, according to the player, who said he was familiar with Uruguay’s top teams and that the level in the country was “very competitive.”

“It’s a very high level of soccer in terms of South America. I hope my move there can be worked out, but the right conditions need to be in place,” he said.

Maradona Sinagra has thus far pursued his career in Italy’s lower divisions and also competes in beach soccer.