Maradona's personal doctor says the Argentina coach was bitten by one of his pet dogs when he put his face close to the animal's face to say good night.

Maradona was bitten on upper lip Tuesday by his pet Shar Pei and needed 10 stitches to close the wound, Dr. Alfredo Cahe said Wednesday.

Cahe said the stitches would remain for about 10 days to two weeks.

Argentina plays Canada on May 24 in its final friendly before traveling to the World Cup in South Africa.

“He (Maradona) told me that it's common he gets close to the dog like this before he goes to bed,” Cahe said.

“Diego said the dog moved suddenly. He said the dog had never behaved like this in the three years he's had her."

Maradona led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and will coach the team at the World Cup in South Africa.

Regarded as one of the world's greatest players, Maradona is revered in Argentina despite problems with drug addiction, eating disorders and scandals — and lately the poor play of the team, which struggled to qualify for the World Cup despite the presence of some of the world's top players, including Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Maradona retired from football in 1997 and almost died in 2000 from heart problems related to his cocaine use.

In 2005, he had a gastric bypass after his weight ballooned to about 115 kilograms (250 pounds).

Argentina plays in Group B at South Africa with Nigeria, Greece and South Korea.