Topic overview
In brief
- Nicolas Taffarel, Maradona's masseur, testified about the football legend's deteriorating condition in his final days.
- Maradona was reportedly bedridden, bloated, and showed signs of resignation, refusing to eat or engage in personal hygiene.
- The trial of seven healthcare professionals for potential negligence continues, raising questions about the adequacy of care provided to Maradona.
Summary
In Argentina, the trial concerning the circumstances surrounding Diego Maradona's death in 2020 has been ongoing since mid-April. Seven healthcare professionals are facing potential negligence charges that may have contributed to the football legend's demise. During the trial, Nicolas Taffarel, Maradona's masseur, provided emotional testimony about the state of the football icon in his final days. He described Maradona as being bedridden, suffering from excess body fluid, and appearing resigned to his fate. Taffarel noted that Maradona had lost interest in eating, personal hygiene, and even social interactions, indicating a deep sense of despair.
On November 24, 2020, the day before Maradona's death, Taffarel attempted to encourage him to drink mate, a traditional herbal drink, but Maradona expressed a lack of desire for anything, stating, 'I don’t want anything, Taffita, that’s it.' This ambiguous statement, which can be interpreted as either 'it’s all right' or 'it’s over,' foreshadowed the tragic outcome that would occur the following day. Maradona passed away at the age of 60 due to heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, a condition characterized by fluid accumulation in the lungs, just two weeks after undergoing surgery.