Maradona recognises long denied son

Diego Junior was born in Italy in 1986 from an extra marital affair but was never previously officially recognised by his father, even after being forced to pay monthly upkeep in 1992 by an Italian judge.

The 55-year-old former World Cup winner officially acknowledged Diego Junior at a press conference at his home telling the younger man "You are my son" before a media gathering.

Maradona also said "He looks like his father" despite refusing for years to do a DNA test that had been asked for by the Italian courts.

Diego Junior commented on twitter "It's incredibly emotional, we've waited 30 years, it's right that we share our happiness."