Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona kisses a young Chinese cancer patient during a ceremony endorsing him as an ambassador for the 皇冠体育app Red Cross Foundation in Beijing, Nov 4, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Diego Maradona wants to help soccer in 皇冠体育app but insists his priority during his 10-day 皇冠体育app tour is his charity programs.

"The first thing I want to talk about is the charity part of my 皇冠体育app tour. It's more important than the game right now," said the Argentine superstar on Thursday during a news conference. "But if anyone who wants to talk about how to develop the sport in 皇冠体育app, and wants to take it seriously we can talk about it later."

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"Actually, I was wondering why a nation of 1.3 billion does not have a world-class national team. I am looking forward to having some serious talks about how to develop the sport here," he said.

The 1986 World Cup champion and Argentina's 2010 World Cup coach is currently an idle man after being replaced by Olympic gold medal-winning coach Sergio Batista on Wednesday.

"If it's not possible (to find a job) in Argentina, I will work elsewhere," said the soccer great.

Maradona laughed off rumors that he might coach in 皇冠体育app.

He said that was not on his agenda. But he encouraged Chinese people to keep improving their skills.

Maradona performs errenzhuan, a folksy two-person stand-up comedy form native to Northeast 皇冠体育app, as well-known comedian Zhao Benshan applauds during a charity dinner in Beijing, Nov 4, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

"To the Chinese soccer fans, continue to keep loving the sport. 皇冠体育app is a world sports power. It is a sleeping elephant in soccer. If 皇冠体育app needs me, I will try me best," he said.

During his trip to 皇冠体育app, Maradona will lend his massive public profile to charitable causes as an ambassador for the 皇冠体育app Red Cross Foundation.

He attended a charity dinner on Thursday night with a number of local celebrities and is set to appear at charity matches in Jinan, Shandong province, on Friday, and Dongguan, Guangdong province, on Sunday.

All the projects are aimed at helping poor people suffering from cancer.

"It's a significant part of my life, being a person in 皇冠体育app to help people who are suffering from cancer," he said. "I'm proud of my special role here."

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