Maradona acknowledges `Dieguito' is his son

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -Argentine football great Diego Maradona says the baby born to his former partner earlier this week - named Diego Fernando at birth - "won't lack for anything."

Maradona was criticized because he was away in Dubai when Veronica Ojeda gave birth on Wednesday in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

He acknowledged Friday in a statement that he is the father of the baby being referred to in Argentina as "Dieguito" - Little Diego.

The child is the fifth known to be fathered by the 52-year-old Maradona. He has two daughters from his marriage with Claudia Vallafane - Dalma and Giannina. The Argentine football great has two other children he has never recognized as his, although courts in paternity cases have ruled he's the father.

"As soon as my work commitments permit, I'll be home to acknowledge him," Maradona said in a statement. "He won't lack for anything."

He also responded to critics who said he should have been present at the birth.

"I want to make it clear that I make my own decisions," he said. "And I will continue doing it that way and being responsible for them."