Diego Maradona opens up on cocaine addiction, says daughter woke him up from coma

Diego Maradona gives instructions to his players during his first training session as coach of Dorados [Photo: Courtesy]

Diego Maradona has opened up on the cocaine hell he has endured for 14 years - as he revealed his daughter once woke him up from a coma.

The Argentinian football legend was unveiled as the new boss of Mexican football side Dorados, who are based in a region known for its drug cartel activities.

Maradona spoke candidly about his battles with drug and alcohol "sickness" but is focused on being a success in his new role now he has overcome his addictions.

He said: "I want to give Dorados what I lost when I was sick. I was sick for 14 years.

"Now I want to see the sun, I want to go to bed at night.

"I never even used to go to bed. I didn't even know what a pillow was. That's why I accepted the offer from Dorados.

"I'm taking on this responsibility as if it were a new child."

There was widespread concern for the 57-year-old during the World Cup in Russia this summer, as Maradona was pictured looking in ill-health whilst attending the Argentina fixtures.

Maradona attended Argentina's fixtures in the World Cup [Courtesy]

The former Barcelona and Napoli forward was rushed to hospital after collapsing following his nations win over Nigeria at the tournament.

But Maradona claims he has since beaten his demons and is determined to stay clean.

"Ever since I kicked my illness, when I was wasting away... I want to explain to you that when I was using I was falling apart.

"It was a step backwards and a footballer always has to go forward. That all stopped thanks to my daughters.

"I was left without a cent, I went back to work, my youngest daughter, who was four, convinced me, she said I had experienced things with Dalma and not with her.

He takes over the second tier side Dorados who are based in the middle of Mexico's drug cartel heartland [Courtesy]

"When I was in a coma and she touched my bedsheet to wake me up.

"Then I came out, and like everybody, we are judged and we think we hold the truth, I wonder how many people there are here who have done worse things than us and they have not made the papers. I am here to work.

"I am here to give my heart like I did in Fujairah, where I drove 300 kilometres a day to work. When you put down that the club has no titles, make sure you put in the promotion."

Maradona's appointment comes less than two weeks after he was filmed flashing his nipples from atop a car whilst appearing intoxicated outside Dinamo Brest's stadium - for whom he is club chairman.

He takes over the second tier side Dorados who are based in the middle of Mexico's drug cartel heartland.

The troubled region plays host to the Sinaloa Cartel who are regarded as the most powerful drug trafficking organisation in the world with links to El Chapo.