Diego Maradona underwent successful brain surgery for a blood clot in a specialist private clinic in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, his doctor said.
"We managed to successfully remove the clot. Diego coped well with the surgery," Leopoldo Luque said at the football great's private clinic in the capital Buenos Aires.
"It's under control, there's a little drainage (of blood). He'll remain under observation."
World Cup winner Maradona had been taken to hospital in La Plata – where he is the coach of top flight side Gimnasia y Esgrima – on Monday for a series of tests after feeling unwell.
A scan revealed the blood clot, and on Tuesday he was transferred to the specialist clinic in a northern neighborhood of the capital.
Maradona, who turned 60 on Friday, has suffered ill health before. He has survived two heart attacks, and also contracted hepatitis and undergone gastric bypass surgery.
Groups of fans congregated outside the clinic with banners showing Maradona's face and the words "Come on, Diego!"
"I came with my wife to support the greatest player of all time," fan Oscar Medina told AFP.
"Once more his health has played a trick on him but he has antibodies to recover with the help of the people," added Medina.
"I feel very sad and impotent but we're going to stay by his side until the last day," said another fan, Matias Di Sciosio.
Earlier on Tuesday, Luque insisted it was "a routine operation" and that Maradona was "lucid" and "calm."
"The operation consists of a small incision to drain the blood. In 24 or 48 hours the patient can leave the hospital," neurosurgeon Raul Matera told TyC Sports channel.
Maradona was transferred from the hospital in La Plata, 60 kilometres south of Buenos Aires, to the capital at 6:00 pm local time accompanied by one of his daughters, Giannina.
Dozens of Gimnasia fans outside the La Plata hospital chanted his name as he left.
Earlier in the day, Luque claimed Maradona was feeling "much better and eager to leave" hospital but insisted that the Gimnasia Y Esgrima coach was suffering from anemia – a lack of iron in his system – and dehydration.
Luque said it has left him feeling "very weak, very tired." After further tests, he was diagnosed with the blood clot.
He also suggested Maradona's lifestyle had contributed to his condition.
"He's an elderly patient with many pressures in his life. It's a time when we must help him. It's very difficult to be Maradona," Luque said of the former World Cup winner, who celebrated his 60th birthday on Friday.
He said it was a condition that also affected current Vice-President Cristina Kirchner when she was president.
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The crazy world of Diego Maradona - in pictures
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Maradona's 'hand of God' goal against England and Peter Shilton in 1986. Bongarts -
Football legend Diego Maradona poses alongside the Fujairah FC logo designed by Ms Al Kendi Fujairah Football Club. Courtesy Fujairah Football Club -
Fujairah manager Diego Maradona talks to his Fujairah squad during a training session in November 2017. The National -
Diego Maradona holds up the World Cup after Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 in the 1986 World Cup final at the Atzeca Stadium, in Mexico City. Shutterstock -
3 Apr 1996: Soccer star Diego Maradona juggles a soccer ball in the ring at the end of a charity boxing match against Falucho Lacier, former WBA Flyweight world champion at the General Paz Junior's Club in Cordoba, Argentina. Getty -
Former Argentinian soccer player Diego Armando Maradona, during a game at the Juan Carmelo Zerilo stadium, in La Plata, Argentina, 09 February 2020. EPA -
Argentinean soccer legend Diego Maradona shows his skills after the Ajax vs Boca Juniors soccer match during the Amsterdam four-team soccer tournament in the Arena stadium in Amsterdam on Sunday, 31 July 2005. EPA -
Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona cheers his team Boca Juniors after winning the Copa Sudamericana soccer final against Mexico's Pumas Unam at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Sunday, 18 December 2005 EPA -
Diego Maradona of Argentina is confronted by a posse of Belgium defenders during 1982 Wold Cup in Spain. Allsport -
Maradona, head coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, gestures before a match in November, 2019. Getty -
Argentina coach Diego Maradona plays with school kids at the Kgotlelelang primary school on January 19, 2010 in Shoshanguwe, Pretoria. AFP -
Maradona washing his hair after a match in 1980. Allsport -
Maradona resting with his feet up at home in 1980. Allsport -
1986 World Cup winner Diego Maradona. Bongarts -
Gimnasia coach Maradona in February, 2020. Getty -
Maradona smokes a cigar as he watches the World Cup match between Argentina and Iceland at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow in 2018. AFP -
Diego Maradona celebrates Argentina's goal against Italy in the 1990 World Cup semi-final. Action Images -
Mexican second division club Dorados's coach Maradona in 2018. AFP -
Cuban President Fidel Castro with Maradona during the recording of Maradona's TV programme "The 10's Night" in Havana, 26 October 2005. AFP -
Argentinian footballer, Diego Maradona, in April 1978. Getty -
Maradona answers questions during a press conference in Buenos Aires in 2005. AFP -
Argentina's 1994 World Cup captain Diego Maradona after Argentina a goal against Greece. AFP -
Diego Maradona with Marwan Bin Bayat, chairman of Dubai club Al Wasl, in 2011. AFP -
Diego Maradona, head coach of Argentina, at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Getty -
Diego Maradona of Seville in action during January 1993. Allsport -
Maradona poses with his wife Claudia and two daughters Giannina and Dalma at his 35th birthday in Buenos Aires. AFP -
Maradona juggles a ball surrounded by his wife of Claudia, daughters Dalma and Giannina, Serbian producer Maja Kusturica, Dunja Kusturica and Serbian director Emir Kusturica as he arrives to attend the screening of the documentary film 'Maradona by Kusturica' at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival on May 20, 2008. AFP -
Maradona is greeted by schoolchildren during his visit to Kgotlelelang School at Winterveldt in South Africa in January, 2010. Getty -
Maradona poses in front of his statue at the Boca Juniors Museum in, Buenos Aires in 2006. AFP -
Maradona balances a soccer ball on his head as he walks off the training ground after a session with Argentina in 1986. AFP -
Maradona shows his support for Argentina prior to the 2018 World Cup match against Nigeria. Getty -
Argentina striker Lionel Messi celebrates with coach Diego Maradona at the 2010 World Cup. AFP -
Maradona receives the keys of the Colombian city Cartagena from mayor Alberto Barbosa in 2005. AFP -
Maradona signs autographs in Havana, Cuba, in February 2000. AFP -
Argentina's 1994 World Cup captain Diego Maradona after Argentina a goal against Greece. AFP -
Maradona dances with Italian Angela Panico during the TV show "Ballando con le stelle" in Rome in October 2005. AFP -
Argentina coach Maradona during a press conference in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires in 2009. AFP -
Pope Francis meets Maradona in Rome in 2014. Getty -
President of Gimnasia y Esgrima Gabriel Pellegrino and Diego Maradona during his presentation as new coach in September, 2019. Reuters -
Maradona sitting in a bedroom with his daughters in Italy in 1989. Getty -
German great Karl Heinz Rummenigge with Maradona. Kicker -
Argentina captain Maradona celebrates on the shoulders of teammates after they had beaten Russia 3-1 to win the 1979 World Youth Championships in Tokyo. Getty -
Maradona holds a Aurora shirt during the inauguration of the Club Aurora football School in Bolivia in March, 2004. AFP -
Maradona with United Al Wasel officials following a press conference in Dubai in June, 2011. AFP -
Maradona, coach of Al Wasl, with his mother Dalma in 2011. AFP -
Maradona is overcome with emotion during an event in his honour at the "La Bombonera" stadium of Boca Juniors in 2001. AFP -
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez jokes with Maradona during the "People's Summit" rally in 2005. AFP -
Maradona celebrates his 51st birthday with Al Wasl in 2011. AFP -
Al Wasl coach Maradona with his son in law, Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (C), and his grandson Benjamin in 2012. AFP -
Maradona poses on stage ahead of the 2018 World Cup draw at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow in 2018. AFP -
Napoli' supporters wave a flag bearing a portrait of Maradona during a Serie A match in 2013. AFP -
Maradona hands the honorary "Ballon d'Or" award to his wife Claudia, as former soccer great Alfredo Di Stefano looks on. AFP -
Maradona juggles a ball in the ring at the end of a charity boxing match against Falucho Lacier, former WBA flyweight world champion, at the General Paz Junior's Club in Cordoba, Argentina, in 1996. Allsport -
A young Maradona (centre) with his family on a beach in 1970. Allsport -
Maradona playing for Barcelona in 1982. AFP -
A relaxed young Maradona (l) has a drink. PA -
Raffaele Di Fusco, Massimo Crippa, Maradona, Francesco Romano and Giuliano Giuliani of Napoli celebrate with the trophy after the UEFA Cup Final against Stuttgart in 1989. Getty -
Maradona plays against his compatriot Juan Martin Del Potro in Dubai in 2013. AFP -
Argentina's coach Maradona embraces his father Diego at the end of a training session in Buenos Aires in 2009. AFP -
Gimnasia coach Maradona on the balcony of Government House after a meeting with President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez in 2019 in Buenos Aires. Getty -
Maradona greets supporters in front of a hotel in Athens in January 2004. AFP -
Maradona wipes the lens of a television camera during a celebration for his wife's birthday at a hotel in Havana in January, 2000. AFP -
Maradona controls the ball as he poses during a photocall for Serbian director Emir Kusturica's film 'Maradona by Kusturica' at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival in 2008. AFP -
Maradona backstage with Queen on The Game Tour in Buenos Aires, 1982. Wikimedia Commons -
Maradona being carried by fans after winning the 1981 championship with Boca Juniors in 1981. AFP -
Diego Maradona turns 60 on October 30, 2020. Action Images -
Maradona at the 1994 World Cup in the USA. Action Images
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The doctor ruled out any link to the coronavirus pandemic, which is ravaging the South American country, much of it still under confinement.
Maradona, who has spells in UAE football as manager of Al Wasl and Fujairah, is considered at high risk of coronavirus complications should he be infected.
Last week, he began self-isolation for the second time after a bodyguard displayed coronavirus symptoms, though he later tested negative.
He joined his players briefly at the club's training ground on his birthday, but had obvious difficulty walking and had to be helped away by his assistants after staying only 30 minutes.
"It breaks my heart to see him like this," Giannina tweeted the next day.
'He needs support'
Maradona has difficulty retaining iron due to a gastric bypass surgery he underwent in 2005 to lose 50 kilograms, leaving him prone to anemia, Luque said.
Though he has recovered from well-documented addictions, Maradona takes medication in the form of tranquilizers and anxiolytics.
"With a patient on medication, there are times when hospitalisation serves to adjust that medication. That's good," said Luque.
Gimnasia fans flocked to the La Plata clinic to leave messages of support for the ailing icon.
"What he needs most is the support of the people," Luque said.
