Diego Maradona Admitted to Hospital in Argentina

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has been admitted to hospital in La Plata after feeling unwell, although his condition is not reported to be serious, nor is it related to coronavirus.

Maradona turned 60 on Friday and has previously suffered from a number of health problems related to drug and alcohol abuse and obesity. In 2019, he was treated in hospital for internal bleeding in his stomach caused by a hernia.

Dr Leopoldo Luque addressed reporters outside the Ipensa clinic where Maradona is undergoing tests and being monitored. The 1986 World Cup winner is said to have been feeling unwell for some time and Luque explained his patient will be observed for at least three days.

“He is not well psychologically and that has an impact on his physical wellbeing. He’s not as well as I would like and as well as I know he can be. He needs help, this is the time to help him,” the doctor told gathered reporters on Monday night.

“Diego is a person who is sometimes excellent and sometimes not so much. He could be 10,000 times better. And bringing him here helps him. It’s very difficult being Maradona.”

Maradona remains one of the greatest footballers of all time. He famously led Argentina to world Cup glory in 1986 in one of the most dominant performances by a single player in any team sport and later also played in the 1990 final.

He became an icon during his time at Napoli, helping the club win two Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup during a turbulent spell that ended in disgrace in 1992 following a 15-month drug ban.

Maradona had earlier played for Barcelona, as well as Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors, while he later turned out for Sevilla, Newell’s Old Boys and had a final spell at Boca before retiring in 1997. Bizarrely, he had been close to joining Sheffield United as a 17-year-old in 1978.

Health problems dominated the years immediately after Maradona’s retirement from playing, but after giving up drugs and drink he later went on to be appointed Argentina coach in 2008 and led the team at the 2010 World Cup.

Further coaching gigs have come in the UAE and Mexico, while he is currently in charge at top flight Argentine club Gimnasia de la Plata.

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