During his 12-year rule, the name of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been frequently linked to football, including connections with his national team and his support for one of the biggest clubs in the world, alongside a strong friendship that he had with one of the game's legends.
Maduro has become a major focal point of global media attention after the announcement of his and his wife Celia Flores' arrest early last Saturday, following a military operation conducted by the US forces inside Venezuela that saw explosions in the capital Caracas and other cities coinciding with low-flying warplanes.
Maduro and Soccer
Maduro openly revealed years ago that he is a fan of Spanish Barcelona, and joked with his followers in a 2020 video by saying he would become "the new deal of the Catalan club."
He said then, "I will join Barcelona. I have already been called to Barcelona's trainings," and when asked: Will you play as a striker? he confidently answered, "Yes, as a reserve player."
On another occasion, Maduro did not hide his deep dissatisfaction with Barcelona's management headed by Joan Laporta, when the club allowed its legendary star Lionel Messi to move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021.
Maduro said in one gathering, "What they did to Messi was ugly, I cried with him. When I saw him crying, I also cried. He is one of the greatest football players in the world."
He added, "What Barcelona officials did to the greatest player the club has ever known is indescribable, Messi wanted to end his career in Barcelona, but they kicked him out."
Maduro, Maradona's Friend
Previously, Maduro had a close friendship with the late legend Diego Armando Maradona who visited Venezuela several times.
In 2017, Maradona - who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 - considered himself a soldier and supporter in Maduro's side to confront "imperialism," and the two appeared together at official events and football matches.
Maduro offered Maradona to coach the Venezuelan national team in 2020, but the latter declined the offer due to a prior commitment with the Argentinian club Gimnasia.
Following Maradona's death in the same year, Maduro stated that the Argentine legend remained loyal to their friendship and "the revolution," claiming that he secretly helped Venezuela import food into the country.
Maduro also believes that Maradona was assassinated, and did not die a natural death.
