Ex-Arsenal and Man Utd star Van Persie reveals Diego Maradona kissed him on ‘special’ leg when they first met
ROBIN VAN PERSIE has revealed how he was repeatedly kissed by Diego Maradona – including on his LEG.
Arsenal and Manchester United great Van Persie said he idolised the Argentine legend, who died last week aged 60.
Holland striker RVP met Maradona several times, including in Dubai during the South American’s spell coaching local club Al-Wahda.
Van Persie, 37, has now recalled the Hand of God sinner’s bizarre introduction in 2012.
He wrote in De Telegraaf: “As a young player I was inspired by Maradona, and that has never left me.
“He was unique as a footballer and a person. He was extreme in every respect, with his style of play and his personality.
“Yes, he made mistakes in his life, but who hasn’t? The people who get started on him have also made mistakes.
“[When I first met him in Dubai] he shouted ‘Robbie, Robbie!’ to me. He ran up to me, gave me a kiss, embraced me and said how good he felt.
“He made me feel much less tense. Through his interpreter he started a great conversation.
“He began with my left leg, saying: ‘Robbie, you have my left leg. We both have a special left leg.’
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“He also took hold of my left leg, and planted a kiss on it.
“I told him I didn’t want to impose, or to ask him for a shirt, but said he would make me happy if I could just have a kick-about with him for 30 seconds.
“It was great. Everything went well, I pulled off a few tricks and so did he, and I got a signed shirt all the same.”
Maradona met Van Persie once more at a Manchester United training session two years later.
RVP wrote: “As soon as he arrived all the players tried much harder to do their best.
“We all got high fives from him, and Maradona addressed me once more with: ‘Hey, Robbie.'”