Diego Maradona has revealed his drug problems began when he was at Barcelona in the 1980s in an interview with an Italian private television network, Canale 5.

The 1986 Argentina World Cup winner said his habit began in his early 20s and continued beyond the end of his career. “I was 24 when I started taking drugs. I was at Barcelona,” said Maradona.

“It was the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life. “My daughter asked me to live for her while I was in a coma. I thank God because he listened to her and woke me up.” Maradona was asked whether money, women or drugs were the biggest problem in his career. “Drugs were the biggest problem – drugs kill,” said Maradona. “I'm very fortunate to be here speaking to you. If I had continued I would have died. No doubt."