Maradona hits back at ´moron´ Grondona

Diego Maradona has hit back after Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona branded him a jinx.

Argentina were given a scare by minnows Iran during their second match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, an injury-time stunner from Lionel Messi earning a 1-0 win for Alejandro Sabella’s men in Belo Horizonte.

Messi’s strike ensured a place in the last 16 for Argentina, and happened just as 1986 World Cup winner Maradona – who was in charge when Argentina suffered a disappointing quarter-final exit in 2010 – was reported to be leaving Estadio Mineirao.

Grondona, who is also senior vice-president at FIFA, was quick to link Maradona’s departure to Argentina’s success.

“The bad luck charm left the stadium and we won,” Grondona said.

However, Maradona soon responded, labelling Grondona a “moron” on Venezuelan TV channel Telesur, for whom he is working as a pundit during the tournament.

The 53-year-old then made an offensive gesture to the camera to sum up his thoughts on Grondona’s comments.

He then added: “My message to Grondona is that I paid for the clothes on my back through hard work; he bought everything he has on thanks to his cronies at FIFA.”