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DIEGO MARADONA and Cristiano Ronaldo are both contenders to be the greatest footballer of all time.

But they are both also in the running for having the worst statues in their honour.

 The people of Kolkata, India erected this statue in honour of Diego Maradona
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The people of Kolkata, India erected this statue in honour of Diego MaradonaCredit: EPA

Argentina legend Maradona, 57, unveiled a 12ft bust in Kolkata, India, of him holding the World Cup.

The city has somewhat idolised Maradona after a 2008 visit when thousands rushed to the airport to see him.

But the artwork now gracing the city is a far cry from the player who won the 1986 tournament in Mexico.

Social media users compared the statue's likeness to Susan Boyle, Mrs Brown and Roy Hodgson.

 Diego Maradona and girlfriend Rocio Oliva visited Kolkata to hand out aids to cancer sufferers
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Diego Maradona and girlfriend Rocio Oliva visited Kolkata to hand out aids to cancer sufferersCredit: AFP or licensors
 The city of Kolkata somewhat idolises Diego Maradona after a visit in 2008
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The city of Kolkata somewhat idolises Diego Maradona after a visit in 2008Credit: AFP or licensors
 Diego Maradona plays up to his crowd of supporters in India
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Diego Maradona plays up to his crowd of supporters in IndiaCredit: Reuters
 Diego Maradona told the people who came to see him he was 'just a footballer'
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Diego Maradona told the people who came to see him he was 'just a footballer'Credit: EPA
 Diego Maradona signs a footballer during his charity visit to Kolkata
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Diego Maradona signs a footballer during his charity visit to KolkataCredit: Reuters
 Diego Maradona kisses the forehead of a cancer sufferer in Kolkata
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Diego Maradona kisses the forehead of a cancer sufferer in KolkataCredit: Reuters

It draws comparison to the Art Attack-like statue created to honour Cristiano Ronaldo in Madeira in March.

One user wrote: "Good to see the chap that did the Ronaldo one is still in business."

Maradona will perhaps secretly have his fingers crossed that his statue sees the same fate as countryman Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona superstar's bust was ripped down - leaving nothing but his boot touching a ball - after being targeted by vandals in Buenos Aires.

Maradona, 57, and girlfriend Rocio Oliva, 27, met and gave cheques of 10,000 rupees (£116) to cancer patients during their charitable visit to Kolkata.

He told the gathering crowd: "I am not god of football but a simple footballer.

"I'm happy to be here in Kolkata again. It's amazing to have my statue here."

He is set to take on former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly in an exhibition match called "Diego vs Dada".

You don't know what you're hewing...

 Diego Maradona's statue draws similarities to this bust of Cristiano Ronaldo
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Diego Maradona's statue draws similarities to this bust of Cristiano Ronaldo
Emanuel Santos improves on his Cristiano Ronaldo statue by making one of Gareth Bale
 This sculpture of Southampton footie hero Ted Bates was stunted
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This sculpture of Southampton footie hero Ted Bates was stunted
 Sevn Goran Erikson's bust looks more like dodgy Thunderbird
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Sevn Goran Erikson's bust looks more like dodgy Thunderbird
 This Michael Jackson effigy was erected at Fulham FC
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This Michael Jackson effigy was erected at Fulham FC
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