Maradona praises Greece's Euro 2004 'miracle'

Diego Maradona has praised Greece's surprise European championship win calling it a miracle that "is good for football".

One of the greatest footballers of all time, the Argentine arrived in Athens on a mystery trip early on Thursday but has remained out of sight.

He briefly spoke to reporters at the airport before being rushed off to a central Athens hotel he has since not left.

"Greece beat everyone. It was a miracle and it is good for football when small teams do so well. They shake things up," Maradona said.

Wearing a blue jacket and jeans and sporting long hair and a moustache, Maradona cut his drug rehabilitation in Cuba short to fly to Athens.

Looking extremely overweight and tired, Maradona did not say how long he would remain in Greece.

"I am just happy to be back in Greece after so many years," he said before getting into a car.