Rio de Janeiro - Brazil coach Carlos Dunga on Monday played down his rivalry with Diego Maradona, after the new Argentina coach had criticized Dunga last week.

"I hope things go well for him," Dunga said.

After his controversial appointment last week as coach, Maradona recalled his playing days, when he had led Argentina on the pitch to the 1986 World Cup and Dunga had captained Brazil to the 1994 World Cup.

"I do not play like Dunga, absolutely not," Maradona said. "Dunga kicked (opponents), I didn't. I dribbled them."

Pressed Monday during a press conference, Dunga took a veiled shot at Maradona, whose playing days and retirement have been marked by high-profile partying, drug problems and struggles with his weight.

"As a national team player, I won as much as him, although I had less talent. I knew my limitations, and that is why I worked very hard," Dunga said.

"I always looked after my body, because that is what I built my career with. I also looked after my behaviour, which transmits confidence to those who work with me. God gives each person a talent." (dpa)