Maradona: 'I don't blame Higuain'

By Football Italia staff

Ex-Napoli and Argentina legend Diego Maradona has spoken in an interview about Higuain’s transfer to Juventus and the desire to market the Partenopei abroad.

Currently in Italy for the match to be held at Stadio Olimpico named ‘United for Peace’ on October 12th, the number 10 spoke to L’Espresso magazine, stating that he ‘did not blame’ Gonzalo Higuain for joining rivals Juventus in the summer.

"As a Napoli fan, I was sorry that Gonzalo went to play with a direct rival like Juventus. But you cannot only blame the player.

“A player has his own responsibilities, and the culprits are always the businessmen. No one thinks about the fans. It’s a pity that FIFA continues to ignore these facts, as do many others.”

Maradona had himself been courted by the Bianconeri as a player, and he explained why he could never have made such a move.

"L'Avvocato [Gianni] Agnelli courted me like you would make love to a woman. He said he had offered 100 billion lire in Ferlaino and I should put this number on my cheque.

“I replied that I could never do this, as it would be an affront to the Neapolitans because I felt like one of them, that I could never wear another jersey in Italy but that of Napoli.”

The Argentinian was skeptical of any attempts to market the club’s brand abroad, and voiced his discontent over the business side of the sport.

"I know they’re on missions in China to try to spread the Napoli brand. On this I have not much to say other than I'm shocked.

“The figure of the president has changed a lot since my playing days. Then, they could be a wealthy fan, but today you need to be an entrepreneur.

"I am quite skeptical of distant figures, geographically distant and those distant from the history of a club, its fans and its atmosphere, and that football is only living as a business ".

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