DIEGO MARADONA gave Carlos Tevez a Kiss of God moments before the former Manchester United striker netted a dramatic late goal that clinched the Superliga for Boca Juniors.
The Argentine legend tasted defeat on his return to his former side, who pipped bitter rivals River Plate to the league title following a 1-0 win over his Gimnasia team.
But the 56-year-old also tasted compatriot Tevez ahead of kick-off, as the two shared a passionate embrace on the touchline.
Cameras picked up 36-year-old striker Tevez running over to the opposition bench before the whistle to kiss Maradona on the lips.
And it seemed the smacker gave the ex-Manchester City star some good luck as he fired home Boca’s winner to seal the Argentine title.
Speaking afterwards, Tevez said: “I knew I had to kiss Diego. I was lucky that way, sometimes you have to look for luck.”
He also revealed that he was desperate to deliver success for Boca, who clinched the title by a point after River were held 1-1 by Atletico Tucuman.
It was Miguel Angel Russo’s sides third title success in four years to take them just two titles shy of Buenos Aires rivals River’s all-time record of 36.
Tevez added: “I was hungry for glory again. I think I felt again that I had to go back to my neighbourhood, that I had to get off a lot of things and fight like the kid who fought when I was a kid.
“It was two or three years of fighting against my head, against a lot of things. I always kept working, trying to get out of that well, it was very difficult for me to get out, to get back to my roots.
“It was as I was telling you, I needed to go back to be hungry for glory. I found myself at the right time.”
Tevez is currently in his third stint with Boca Juniors but is out of contract in June.
The former Argentina international ended the term with nine goals from 17 appearances.
Boca remarkably conceded just eight goals during their 23-match league campaign and their season continues now in the Copa Libertadores.
