On this day: The legendary photo of Ćiro and Maradona, and a colorful exchange

A legendary photograph was born on this day in 2005, capturing a unique moment between football icon Diego Maradona and renowned Croatian coach Miroslav Ćiro Blažević. The image emerged from a charity football match held in Novi Vinodolski as part of the Croatian Classic tennis tournament.

The event aimed to raise funds for the "Braća Mažuranić" Home for Neglected Children and Youth. It drew numerous sports stars, but the presence of Maradona, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, alongside Croatian sporting legends, garnered significant attention.

Years later, Blažević shared a humorous anecdote on social media about his interaction with Maradona during the game. "I remember that charity match in Novi Vinodolski. It was a big day for me as a coach," he wrote. Blažević recounted how Maradona approached him on the field, asking for guidance on positioning and play.

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I remember that charity match in Novi Vinodolski. It was a big day for me as a coach.

Blažević's memorable response, delivered in his characteristic style, was: "Get going there, f*** your little green mother, you're asking me what to play. Play what you know!" He added that even in this exhibition match, Maradona showcased his brilliance, estimating he scored 14 to 17 goals.

Diego Maradona remains an Argentine football icon, famous for leading Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title with iconic goals against England. Miroslav Ćiro Blažević was a celebrated and controversial coach, best known for guiding the Croatian national team to third place in the 1998 World Cup.

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Get going there, f*** your little green mother, you're asking me what to play. Play what you know!