Diego Armando Maradona, considered by many critics as the best footballer the World has seen, alongside the Brazilian ‘Pelé’ (both footballers shared the FIFA Player of the Century award), praised the Liverpool striker in an interview with Spanish sports newspaper ‘Marca’.

Following the resignation of Argentina national football team coach Alfio Basile, on October 29, 2008, AFA chairman Julio Grondona confirmed Maradona as the new manager of Argentina. Maradona, who is currently in Europe looking at players for his first squad, commented to the Spanish publication that: “Fernando Torres has matured and developed a lot over the last few years. He is on the same level as the best in the business; Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo…”