The biggest idol of Argentine soccer, Diego Maradona, arrived Saturday at the capital of his country, Buenos Aires, to celebrate the centennial of his beloved team Boca Juniors and the 18th birthday of his daughter Dalma.

Maradona, who retired from soccer eight years ago, in 1997, Saturday will be the protagonist in the "Dinner of the Centennial" with the task of putting out the 100 little candles that will decorate the cake of the celebration, although he will receive help from other guests.

The former soccer star, 43, will also participate in the celebration of the 18th birthday of Dalma at Buenos Aires, according to press reports.

Maradona, who arrived from Venezuela where this week he held a meeting with the leaders of Spain, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, is going to take part in the main part of the celebrations of Boca Juniors, with which he got a national league title in 1981.

The Sunday Centennial Party will take effect in La Bombonera Stadium before an audience of 65,000 fans from all over the country recalling its creation by a group of football enthusiast in a humble neighbourhood of immigrants, until reaching the world's summit, and counting among its supporters with the most famous fan, Maradona

The former captain of the Argentine national team, who now faces an intense fight against drugaddiction and obesity, participated in four World Cups and played abroad for Spain's Barcelona and Seville, and Italy's Naples.