Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will receive next week Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, Information and Communication Minister Andres Izarra said on Wednesday.

"When the date for the meeting is fixed, it will be made public," said the official without adding further details.

Maradona admires Chavez, who is heading the so-called "Bolivarian Revolution" in favor of the poor which represent 50 percent of the country's 24 million population.

Maradona also plans to watch the South American under-17 Championship that will kick off on April 1 at Pachencho Romero Stadium in Maracaibo.

Source: Xinhua