Diego Maradona has been admitted to hospital in Argentina with undisclosed “health problems”, however his condition is not thought to be serious.
The World Cup winner, who last week celebrated his 60th birthday, was taken to the Ipensa clinic in La Plata, near Buenos Aires. It was reported early on Tuesday that the issue is not related to Covid-19.
Maradona’s personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque, said the current Gimnasia y Esgrima manager was admitted to hospital to undergo tests having been feeling ill for a while.
“He is not well psychologically and that has an impact on his physical wellbeing,” Luque said. “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.
“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.”
A former manager of both Al Wasl and Fujairah in the UAE, Maradona remains one of the most high-profile personalities in Argentina. He last appeared in public on his birthday on Friday, ahead of his side’s league match against Patronato, but did not stay to watch the match. According to reports, those close by claimed he had looked unwell.
Maradona, who lifted Argentine to World Cup victory in 1986 and enjoys legendary status at Serie A club Napoli in particular, has long had a history of illness and addiction, stretching back to his playing days. Most notably, he was rushed to hospital in 2004 with severe heart and respiratory problems caused by his substance use.
During his playing career, Maradona also represented Barcelona and Boca Juniors. He managed Dubai side Wasl for 14 months from May 2011 and then returned to UAE football with Fujairah in 2017. He spent one season with the then-Second Division club.
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Photos from Diego Maradona's 60th birthday
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Argentina celebrates the 60th birthday of Diego Maradona. Reuters -
Argentina's Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata coach Maradona waves before the start of a first division match against Patronato in La Plata, Buenos Aires, on his 60th birthday. AFP -
Argentina celebrates 60th birthday of Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires. Reuters -
A statue of Maradona, in the Barrio de la Paternal of the city of Buenos Aires. EPA -
A person takes a video of a billboard in homage to Argentinian legend Maradona on his 60th birthday, near the Buenos Aires' Obelisk. Reuters -
A woman walks past a billboard in homage to Maradona on his 60th birthday, near the Buenos Aires' Obelisk. Reuters -
A woman holds a placard with a news article about Maradona at Villa Palito neigbourhood in La Matanza municipality, Buenos Aires province. EPA -
A mural with the image of Maradona at Villa Palito neigborhood in La Matanza municipality, Buenos Aires. EPA -
A man carries a photo of Maradona at Villa Palito neigborhood in La Matanza municipality, Buenos Aires. EPA -
A man paints a mural of Maradona at Villa Palito neigborhood in La Matanza municipality, Buenos Aires. EPA -
A picture of Maradona next to a statue of Saint Roch, during a charity event in Villa Palito, San Justo, La Matanza. AFP -
A billboard shows photos of Maradona and the Spanish message: "Happy Birthday Diego, thank you for so much happiness" in Buenos Aires. AP -
Diego Maradona is seen before the match between Gimnasia y Esgrima and Patronato on his 60th birthday. Reuters -
Diego Maradona waves before the match between Gimnasia y Esgrima and Patronato. Reuters -
Argentina celebrates the 60th birthday of Diego Maradona. Reuters -
A billboard shows photos of former soccer star Diego Maradona below the Spanish message: "Merry 60, Diego" in Buenos Aires,. AP -
Diego Maradona is seen before the match between Gimnasia y Esgrima and Patronato on his birthday. Reuters -
Argentina celebrates the 60th birthday of Diego Maradona. Reuters -
A plaque marks Diego Maradona's first home, in the Barrio de la Paternal of the city of Buenos Aires. EPA
