Diego Maradona's complex relationship with old club Napoli will gain another twist when the Italian side retires No. 10 jersey.

Napoli, who are returning to Serie A this season after a two-year spell in Serie B, announced the decision to honor the Argentine on Thursday.

The 39-year-old maestro, widely considered to be one of the game's all-time greats, spent his best club years with the Naples squad.

Between 1984 and 1991 Maradona scored 115 goals, created innumerable chances for his teammates and led the southern underdogs to two league championships and a UEFA Cup title.

Cocaine battle

But it was also in Naples that Maradona's public battle with cocaine began, leading to two 15-month suspensions for drug violations, and eventually a bitter parting with Napoli.

He left Italy in 1991, and only returned once, in 1998, for several television appearances in Rome and Milan where he denounced professional football's handling of drug abuse.

He did not, however, visit Naples, having often complained that the club failed to stand behind him in his battle with the Italian league.

He also has a 14-year-son in Naples whom he has not seen since he left.

All-star

Maradona, who maintains near-mythic status with fans in Naples, will reportedly participate in a special all-star game in his honor at Napoli's Stadio San Paolo in October.

He has often been mentioned as a possible future coach or team official.

Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, has continued to have trouble with drugs, winding up in hospital with heart problems in January.

Currently recuperating in Cuba as a guest of Fidel Castro, Maradona turns 40 on October 30.