The two are considered among the greatest to have ever played the game and Pochettino insisted the midfielder shares personality traits that made the legends winners.
“Maradona was talented, gifted player; so strong, physicality, natural body, that’s strong, quick, powerful, but then his character, it’s winning, the DNA,” Pochettino told Sky Sports.
“He’s a winner, he’s a winner, and then the charisma, the energy makes him so special.
“The charisma is the best thing he has, when he walks into the room everyone watches him, everyone wants to touch him, wants to ask for a picture.
“His energy, you smell the energy, his charisma it’s amazing.
“Ronaldinho at Paris St Germain was similar.
“And it’s similar in this way with Dele. People love him in this way.
“When you add the charisma to the talent, that’s what makes a special player.
“My son was saying ‘inho, inho, inho’, he was not even two years old and could not really talk, but he had seen Ronaldinho dancing and he had the ball on the back of his neck, on the 7UP advert, with Fido Dido.
“Kids feel this charisma, this energy, and with Dele, it’s happened the same; he has this charisma that kids love and follow.”
Pochettino nurtured Alli into England international and a player Jose Mourinho was told sign when Man United boss.
Mourinho, now in charge of Spurs, has omitted him from his recent starting line-ups, but Pochettino would not be drawn on the current situation.
“I need to be respectful with the current staff and coaches, it’s not my responsibility any more; you need to respect that.
“Dele was an amazing player for us; the hunger and the energy and the aggression.
“He was always on the edge of the line, so you needed to help him and tell him to be careful and take one step back.
“He’s still young, but I think we enjoyed a lot together, with all the team.
“We built a very special relationship with all the team.
“I hope that everything’s going well for everyone that’s there. My feelings are the best for him and for all the players.”
