Maradona finds `Emirati' pride in Gulf Cup finals

Published Jan. 16, 2013 11:47 a.m. ET

foxsports

Diego Maradona says he now has a second national team to cheer on: The United Arab Emirates.

The former Argentina great, who coached Dubai-based club Al Wasl for one season, says he will be rooting for the UAE against Iraq on Friday in the final of the Gulf Cup.

Maradona even described himself as an honorary ''Emirati'' who feels an ''emotional link'' with the country. He told the daily newspaper Emarat Al Youm, in comments published Wednesday, that he'd be the ''happiest person'' to watch the UAE lift the Gulf Cup trophy in Bahrain.

Maradona is currently a goodwill ambassador for the Dubai Sports Council.