*Incredible Historic Lot* "Maradona vs Hugo Chavez First Meeting" Diego Maradona Venezuela Football Federation WORN HAT and TOURNAMENT PERSONAL ACCREDITATION during his Emblematic Visit to Venezuela, March 2005!

Amazing lot of WORN Venezuela Football HAT and also one of the first time seen at any auction an official accreditation - id personal of Diego Maradona!!

*Provenance: Gifted to Conmebol 2005 Official*

Story:

Former Argentine striker Diego Armando Maradona said in Maracaibo that he was happy to have been invited to the opening of the South American Under 17 Championship and to meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.


Maradona, 44, expressed his joy at the invitation to the South American Under 17 Championship and at being able to speak with the Venezuelan president during a press conference at the Maruma Hotel in the capital of Maracaibo.

"I am grateful that he is a very good friend of Fidel (Castro), he is a great friend, long live Chavez!" were his first words to the local press.

The former Argentine player thanked the Mayor of the city, Giancarlo Di Martino, for inviting him to this South American tournament in Maracaibo.

"I am very excited to be here and to see the 17-year-olds in Maracaibo, who are starting to become great players and great football stars," he said.

The Argentine player confirmed that he had already had initial contact with people close to the Venezuelan president, who confirmed that he will travel to the city of Puerto Ordaz on Tuesday.

"Yes, I just spoke to his people and the president is expecting me tomorrow. I am really looking forward to speaking to him and they confirmed that we will see each other in Puerto Ordaz. I will take all my concerns to him and I hope he gives me a job... I am not going to ask him for it and I will be delighted to work for Venezuela," said a happy Maradona.

His presence in the South American tournament gives him the opportunity to offer his experience as a player to the new generations.

"It's a nice experience that I've gained. I like working with the kids because they are players who are in training so I can give them a hand. This recognition comes at a key moment in my life and the invitation to kick off is much more important in the youth teams than in a World Cup," he said.

Finally, the Argentinean again thanked the Venezuelan president for the invitation to the tournament, pointing out that he thinks it is important that he supports Venezuelan sport.

Hat details:

Atletica trademark. Made in Venzuela (See details)