Video: Maradona is coming to China!

Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona has recorded a video to announce his determination to help develop Chinese football.

Maradona made the statement while holding a Chinese flag with Tang Qinghui, a Chinese Argentinian working on developing football communications between Argentina and China.

Diego Maradona poses for a photo with Tang Qinghui, a Chinese Argentinian and president of Maradona International Brand Management (Beijing) Ltd., who has been working on developing football communications between Argentina and China, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. [Photo: CRIonline]

"We, together, will help with the development of Chinese football! We will make efforts together to train excellent Chinese youth players, and make a football team which matches China's image of a major country. China has a big population, but still lacks world-class football players. I believe that with our efforts, we can surely bring up excellent youth players and create a strong Chinese national team with the capability to compete for the world championship," he said.

The 56-year-old retired football superstar will visit China this year and attend youth football promotion activities in different places such as Beijing and Inner Mongolia.

Diego Maradona gives a signed shirt to a China Radio International reporter in Buenos Aires, Argentina. [Photo: China Plus]

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Argentina diplomatic relations. Tang said besides guiding youth players in primary and middle schools, Maradona will also attend the China-Argentina football forum in Beijing, watch Chinese Super League matches, and train Chinese youth football coaches. He will also witness the establishment of the Maradona football charitable foundation to help Chinese children in remote, impoverished areas, said Tang.

Maradona revealed that he would open an official Weibo account in Chinese during his visit so as to interact with Chinese fans directly.

According to an Italian media report, Maradona will also take on the role of ambassador for the Chinese Super League.