Former Argentine soccer player Diego Armando Maradona arrived Monday, flying from Cuba, in the Spanish capital to hold meetings with officials and players of Real Madrid.

Maradona, 44, said his stay in Spain will include meetings with soccer director of Real Madrid, Italian Arrigo Sacchi; Brazilian coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, and players like Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo.

"I will say hi to friends: Arrigo Sacchi who is a long-time friend; Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Vanderlei," Maradona said in his first contact with the press at the Madrid International Airport of Barajas.

He recognized he has lost 27 kilograms and said the operation has been successful, in reference to the gastric bypass surgery he underwent on March 5 in Colombia to lose weight.

Maradona also said he arrived in Madrid "with all his problems sorted out," and "I am fine with my daughters, which is what matters the most."

As for his cocaine addictin, he said that thanks to the treatment he followed in Havana, it is "over" now.

"I live in Cuba, I am there with Fidel Castro very well, as he is an honorable person," said Maradona.

When questioned about the offer by the Argentine team Boca Juniors to be part of the club, Maradona only said "I am listening to the offer."

Source: Xinhua