When Atletico Madrid turned down Maradona: We knew the life that he led

Former Atletico Madrid forward Ruben Cano has revealed that the Spanish club came close to signing Diego Maradona when he was there.

Cano, who was born in Argentina but played for the Spanish national team, won the LaLiga title with Atletico in 1977.

"Atletico were mulling over whether to sign Maradona," Cano told T4.

"I told [president] Jesus Gil that he was buying the best player in the world but he was also buying a big problem.

"We knew the life that he led."

Cano spent six years with Los Rojiblancos, leaving in the same year as Maradona signed for Barcelona in 1982.

The former striker also revealed what his relationship was like with Raul Gonzalez before the now Castilla boss switched Atletico for Real Madrid.

"I called Raul 'Little Maradona' when he was Atletico," Cano added.

"I was really shocked when he left to join the Real Madrid academy."