Mauricio Pochettino 'so emotional' for Diego Maradona reunion as football icon watches Tottenham beat Liverpool

Pochettino and Maradona joked before the match
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
James Benge22 October 2017

Mauricio Pochettino delighted in showing Diego Maradona what his Tottenham side could do as they hammered Liverpool 4-1 at Wembley.

Maradona, a team-mate and room-mate of Pochettino’s at Argentinian club Newell’s Old Boys during the final years of his playing career, was in the director’s box as Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Dele Alli struck in a ruthless Spurs win on Sunday.

Maradona was paraded in front of the crowd at half-time, bowing to each of Wembley’s four stands.

But the best entertainment for the Premier League-record crowd of 80,827 came from the Spurs stars of the present, rather than the one who had last donned a Tottenham jersey in Osvaldo Ardilles testimonial more than 20 years ago.

Unsurprisingly, former Argentina international Pochettino has spoken of his admiration for Maradona, who adorned the Spurs manager’s wall in poster form as he did for millions of other Argentines.

"I saw him before in the manager’s room, it was so emotional," Pochettino said. "It was difficult to let him go because when you are in front of Maradona you want to speak with him, stay with him and share a moment with him.

In Pictures | Tottenham vs Liverpool | 22/10/2017

1/40

"It was so emotional because it has been 20 years since I saw him and it’s fantastic.

"For me he’s the best player ever in football and he’s massive, he remembered every single moment that we shared when we played at Newell’s Old Boys. That is why it was so fantastic.

Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

"Off the pitch he’s a great, great person. I am so happy to have met him today. I hope to see him again tomorrow at the Fifa awards."

Though Pochettino put his meeting with footballing royalty to one side when the match kicked off, he spoke with clear pride after Spurs put in their best performance yet at Wembley.

"When you start the game you are focused on the game, with 90,000 around you," he said.

"You remember nothing, focused for 90 minutes. But now, I am so pleased.

"Always it’s good when you enjoy football; he should have enjoyed the game.

"Of course we are so happy because you win."