Cruyff eyes Catalonia friendly v Maradona’s Argentina

BARCELONA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Johan Cruyff is hoping to cross swords with fellow Barcelona old boy Diego Maradona when the Dutchman returns to coaching for the first time in 13 years.

Cruyff was presented as coach of the Catalonia selection on Monday and the 62-year-old welcomed a plan to invite Argentina, now coached by Maradona, for a friendly.

“We know Maradona well, so if he could come back to Barcelona as coach, or play this game or be here, I’m sure he would be delighted,” Cruyff told a news conference.

“Argentina have great players like Lionel Messi, who would be playing a home game.”

Catalonia, the selection representing the autonomous Spanish region, typically play a friendly against an international side in December each year.

Former Argentina international Maradona played for Barcelona between 1982 and 1984 but fell out with the club’s board and moved on to Napoli.

Cruyff played for Barcelona in the 1970s and coached the ‘Dream Team’ to Barca’s first European Cup triumph in 1992. He has not taken charge of a side since he quit Barca in 1996.

(Writing by Mark Elkington in Madrid, editing by Kevin Fylan. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)