Diego Maradona Reportedly Given £33m Tax Bill by Italy's Tax Collection Agency

Legendary Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona reportedly owes €39 million (£33 or $53 million) in unpaid taxes to Italy and will have his assets frozen if he doesn't pay them off. 

The Associated Press, via The Guardian, has the report:

"

Diego Maradona has been notified by Italy's tax collection agency that it will begin procedures to freeze his assets in Italy to pay off a tax debt of €39m (£33m).

Equitalia confirmed reports on Friday saying its agents had served Maradona with the notification in his Milan hotel room and that he signed the documentation. The Argentinian was in Italy to promote a video series on his life and watch his former club Napoli play Roma on Friday.

"

Apparently this isn't the first time this has happened, either. According to the report, Maradona, whose debts stem back to 1984 when he first started playing for Napoli, had two Rolex watches and a diamond ring confiscated during a previous trip to Italy. 

Although he enjoyed success for several different clubs throughout his career, Maradona, who many consider as one of the greatest players of all time, was at his best when in Italy. He made just under 200 Serie A appearances from '84 to '91, scoring 81 goals and leading Napoli to two league titles. 

On the international level, he played in four World Cups. During the 1986 tournament, he led Argentina to a victory over West Germany in the final and won the Golden Ball. 

He also helped Argentina to a second-place finish in the 1990 tournament and served as manager of the national team in the 2010 World Cup, but his contract was not renewed. 

Despite his immense success, however, Maradona remains one of the more controversial figures in the sport, and this latest news will only add to that.