The Argentine World Cup winner had rarely stepped foot in Italy since leaving under a cloud in the 1990s amid claims of collusion with mafia dons and a positive drugs test for cocaine.u00a0

It was later claimed by the Italian authorities that Maradona owed the state millions of euros in unpaid taxes. The ex-footballer arrived shortly after 1:00 pm (1200 GMT) local time at Rome’s Fiumicino airport wearing a black jacket, black suit and dark glasses. Dozens of fans had turned up to see the Argentinian, many of whom shouted ‘Welcome back’ as he was driven away.