The Argentine World Cup hero will be embarking on a World Tour 2007 program with the focus on Asia, and wants to play in the three countries.

The 47-year-old Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title in Mexico, is now actively promoting his own brand of football called “showbol,” a mix between futsal and soccer, played seven-a-side over two 25-minute periods on a 22m by 42m artificial pitch surrounded by an acrylic wall.

Luis Lestani, general manager of Elemco Overseas Corp which promotes the Maradona brand of products, said the former soccer great would return to Malaysia, where he had captained his then club Boca Juniors against Selangor in 1982.

“Maradona is now very involved with showbol, a fast-paced game. He has played against South American sides such as Brazil and Colombia and has been scoring wonder goals like the old days,” he said, adding that Maradona’s showbol team had confirmed dates in the three countries in May or June.

Captain of his showbol squad, Maradona’s team includes former Argentine players Matias Almeida, Sergio Goicoechea, Alejandro Mancuso, Patricio Campos, Sergio Zarate, Sebastian Rambert, Jose Borreli, Fernando Gamboa and Mackalisster.

Lestani said Maradona, capped 90 times for Argentina, had also spoken of his interest in establishing a Maradona Football Academy in Malaysia.

Source: The Star