Maradona interviews Cuba's Castro

Maradona and Mr Castro have been friends for over a decade

Argentine football hero Diego Maradona has interviewed Cuban President Fidel Castro for his television chat show.

The former Argentina football captain told Cuban television interviewing Mr Castro had been his dream. The two men have known each other for many years.

"For me he is a god," Maradona said of the veteran communist leader.

The interview is due to be broadcast on Argentina's Canal 13 television channel on Monday. The contents of the programme have not been revealed.

Maradona became friends with Mr Castro during his stays in Cuba to receive treatment for cocaine addiction.

He has a tattoo of the Cuban leader's face on his leg.

The football star also said he would lead a march against US President George Bush when the US leader attends the "Summit of the Americas" in Argentina in November.

Leaders from all the countries in the Americas will attend the summit - except Mr Castro.

'The greatest'

Maradona's popular television show is called La Noche del Diez - The Night of the Number Ten - in reference to the number 10 shirt Maradona wore for the national side.

The show has provided a return to the limelight for Maradona since he retired from football in 1997. Brazilian football legend Pele was his first guest.

He is widely regarded as one of the finest football players of all times, and captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, but cocaine addiction took its toll on his career and health.

The interview with Mr Castro is "icing on the cake" for the show, Maradona said.

"I was missing the greatest one, and now I have him," he added.