Diego Maradona has hit out at people who compared him to Buzz Lightyear for wearing an astronaut-like COVID-19 face shield during a match on Wednesday.- Maradona, who has a history of heart and respiratory problems, says the mask was recommended to him by his doctor.
- "Those journalists who criticize you when you don't take care of yourself. And when you take care of yourself, too," he said on Instagram.
Diego Maradona has hit out at people who compared him to Buzz Lightyear for wearing an astronaut-like COVID-19 face shield during a match on Wednesday.
Maradona, who is the head coach of Gimnasia La Plata, donned the shield as his side drew 0-0 against San Lorenzo in a friendly.
"Today I left my house with this mask, which my doctor recommended," the Argentine, who has a history of heart and respiratory problems, said on Instagram alongside a photo of himself in the mask.
"It is the same one being used by some doctors. I did it out of duty and respect for those who have died from COVID-19. And I was met with some mockery from adults, from boys and from some journalists.
"Those journalists who criticize you when you don't take care of yourself. And when you take care of yourself, too. Those who laugh at people like me, but when they give the death toll, they are scandalized.
"It would be good for them to understand that they cannot sell themselves at all costs, without respect for anything or anyone. Agree on it, guys."
Maradona took over as Gimnasia coach in September 2019 and guided the club to a disappointing 19th placed finish in the Argentine Primera Division in his first season in charge.
Wednesday's game against San Lorenzo was Gimnasia's first since the Argentina Football Association (AFA) cancelled all competitions on April 27 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
To date, Argentina has recorded over 750,000 cases of coronavirus, with 16,937 deaths.
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