Maradona recognises long denied son

Football legend Argentinian Diego Maradona gestures during a past press conference. He has finally accepted his son Diego Maradona junior. PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Diego Junior was born in Italy in 1986 from an extra marital affair but was never previously officially recognised by his father, even after being forced to pay monthly upkeep in 1992 by an Italian judge.
  • The 55-year-old former World Cup winner officially acknowledged Diego Junior at a press conference at his home telling the younger man "You are my son" before a media gathering.

Diego Maradona junior has finally been accepted by his father, Diego Maradona the Argentinian football legend, with whom he spent this last weekend in Buenos Aires.

Diego Junior was born in Italy in 1986 from an extra marital affair but was never previously officially recognised by his father, even after being forced to pay monthly upkeep in 1992 by an Italian judge.

The 55-year-old former World Cup winner officially acknowledged Diego Junior at a press conference at his home telling the younger man "You are my son" before a media gathering.

Maradona also said "He looks like his father" despite refusing for years to do a DNA test that had been asked for by the Italian courts.

Diego Junior commented on twitter "It's incredibly emotional, we've waited 30 years, it's right that we share our happiness."