Former Argentina footballer Diego Maradona has told Mahmoud Abbas, “My heart is Palestinian.” The football icon met the Palestinian President in Moscow on Sunday.

Maradona posted a video of the short meeting with Abbas on his Instagram page. It was reported widely in the Arab and Israeli media, including Ynet News.

The footballer regarded by many as the best ever told Abbas that he sympathises with the plight of the Palestinians. “This man wants peace in Palestine,” he said after a short hug. “President Abbas has a country and has a right.”

Abbas thanked Maradona and presented him with a gift in the form of a painting of a dove carrying an olive branch, as well as some Palestinian olive oil.

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