Maradona says he has been drug-free for almost 12 years

The Guardian/LondonDiego Maradona has revealed he has been clean from drugs for almost 12 years in a video released on his Facebook page, adding he has “chosen to live life for my daughters, grandchildren and those still to come”.In the video Maradona, who has blamed his drug use for failing to realise his true potential as a player in the past and who failed a doping test at the 1994 World Cup, also gives viewers a guided tour of his house in Dubai, highlights of which include photos with the former Venezuelan president, Hugo Chávez and “the greatest man” Fidel Castro.Signing off the video from inside his swimming pool, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, Maradona goes on to reveal his clean living. “I think there is nothing more to prove. I think my environment is my people. I’m about to be 12 years clean from drugs because it does not let me wake up every morning the way I do today. I have chosen to live life for my daughters, grandchildren and those still to come. And be careful, I still haven’t closed the factory.”The 1986 World Cup winner can also not resist a dig at his ex-wife, Claudia Villafane, who Maradona has accused of stealing $9mn from him and threatened with jail if he does not get it back. “Diego doesn’t ruin anybody, I only called the professionals to recover what’s mine, I didn’t rob a bank,” he added before signing off with “A big kiss to all my fans.”