‘I’m gonna smash him’… Ex-Scotland international clashed with icon during Diego Maradona’s first game in charge of Argentina

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Iwelumo has opened up about going toe-to-toe with an esteemed player during Diego Maradona’s first match as Argentina manager.

On November 19, 2008, the talented striker, who was playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers at the time, had the opportunity to go to war with a man who’d proven himself to be a fantastic defender at both Manchester United and Real Madrid.

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Chris Iwelumo on his battle with Gabriel Heinze during Diego Maradona’s Argentina managerial debut

Chris Iwelumo has discussed his experience playing against Gabriel Heinze, amusingly confessing that his plan to get the better of the centre-back didn’t exactly go according to plan.

In an exclusive interview with Sporf, he reminisced: “It was an interesting one. It was Diego Maradona’s first game in charge as Argentina manager. I remember playing against Gabriel Heinze, who played for Manchester United. And Craig Gordon kicked the ball, and I thought, ‘I’m going to absolutely smash him here’. I went up, and it was me on the ground, and he stood over, lambasting over me, so he got to me before I could get to him, but it was a great night. Maxi Rodriguez, who played for Liverpool, got the goal, and Carlos Tevez played as well. We lost 1-0, but for me, as a footballer, it’s about representing your country, and I got the honour of doing that.”

Chris Iwelumo previews fight with Lee Trundle

After an exceptional career on the pitch, Iwelumo has swapped the football boots for the boxing gloves, with the Scot preparing for his third bout. This time, the natural-born goal scorer is set to face Lee Trundle on April 17, at A Night to Remember 2, inside the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, UK.

The event, promoted by ex-Arsenal goalkeeper, Graham Stack, will raise money for both Children’s Charity Merseyside and Autism Merseyside. And it’s fair to say Iwelumo can’t wait to set foot inside the squared circle.

He beamed: “For me, it’s for a great cause. I think it’s important that ex-footballers have a goal and something to train for, as it gives them routine. It’s great for the charities. Graham Stack and his team smashed the last event out of the park, so I was absolutely delighted when his name flashed up on my phone. I thought, ‘Can this be’? And it was.

“It’s about giving back. You don’t enjoy the fight itself, but as much as we can put out there to give awareness to the charities, that is what it’s all about, and I think everyone has bought into that.

“Lee Trundle is a fantastic guy, a great character, he always has been. It’s an absolute pleasure to get in the ring with him. I’ve watched his other fights, and it’s going to be an interesting one.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty