Seven healthcare professionals have been on trial since mid-April in Argentina for possible negligence related to the death of football legend Diego Maradona.

According to testimony from Maradona’s masseur, Nicolas Taffarel, the Argentine star was bedridden and suffering from excess body fluid in his final days. Taffarel described Maradona as resigned to his fate, saying he “wouldn’t get out of bed, he didn’t want to eat, he didn’t want to wash, he didn’t want to look after his personal hygiene.”

On November 24, 2020, the day before Maradona’s death, Taffarel recounted how he tried unsuccessfully to persuade Maradona to drink mate, a traditional herbal drink. Maradona reportedly told him, “I don’t want anything, Taffita, that’s it,” using the phrase “ya esta,” which can mean either “it’s all right” or “it’s over.”

Maradona died alone in bed the following day at age 60 from heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema, a condition involving fluid accumulation in the lungs. This occurred two weeks after he had undergone surgery.

The trial continues to examine the role of medical professionals in the circumstances leading to his death.

Sources

Al Jazeera