Maradona boasts ‘Emirati’ pride for UAE against Iraq in the Gulf Cup final

Diego Maradona said that he now has a second national team to cheer on: The United Arab Emirates.

The former Argentina great, who coached Dubai-based club Al Wasl for one season, said that he will be rooting for the UAE against Iraq on Friday in the final of the Gulf Cup.

Former football player, Maradona even described himself as an honorary "Emirati" who feels an “emotional link” with the country. He told the daily newspaper Emarat Al Youm, in comments published Wednesday, that he’d be the “happiest person” to watch the UAE lift the Gulf Cup trophy in Bahrain.

Maradona is currently a goodwill ambassador for the Dubai Sports Council.