CORDOBA, Argentina (AFP) - Football legend Diego Maradona was taken for a high-speed spin by world rally champion Sebastien Loeb on Thursday.

The Argentinian superstar was strapped into the passenger seat of Loeb's Citroen C4 as part of the French driver's testing ahead of the Rally of Argentina which starts here on Friday.

"He gave me confidence straightaway and he drove so smoothly," said Maradona after his four-kilometre trip.

"I knew that he was very strong. Now I know he is fantastic."