Diego Maradona has 'successful' brain surgery despite drug and alcohol issues

Diego Maradona’s surgery on a blood clot on his brain has been declared a ‘success’ despite worrying issues caused by his long history with drugs and alcohol, it has been announced.

The footballing legend, widely regarded as one of the best to ever play the game, had a subdural hematoma – an accumulation of blood between a membrane and his brain – according to his personal doctor Leopoldo Luque.

His PR team have now confirmed that the major surgery he had on Tuesday, less than a week after his 60th birthday, went well and he is now on the road to recovery. 

Two of Maradona’s five children were quick to take to social media to reassure their father’s fans, with Jana writing: ‘Now life is feeling a little lighter.’

A few minutes later, Dalma posted: ‘I just got out of the clinic I just want to thank everyone for the constant displays of love for my dad, my sister and me. Thanks to everyone who prayed for him!’

Mr Luque, a neurologist, said the problem likely was caused by an accident, but Maradona has said he does not recall such an incident.

The Argentine great will rest in his room in a private clinic outside Buenos Aires for at least 48 hours, where his fans have gathered in large numbers outside to show their support.

Maradona was accompanied to the clinic by his daughters Dalma, Giannina and Jana and other relatives, according to local media in Argentina.

Tuesday’s surgery came after the 1986 World Cup winner was admitted to another clinic, in the city of La Plata, after suffering anemia and dehydration.

Donato Villani, the head of the Argentina national team’s medical staff, told television channel TyC Sports that such a surgery normally goes smoothly, adding ‘it is different with Diego’ due to Maradona’s past treatment for cardiac problems and his use of drugs and alcohol.

Indeed, one of his former girlfriends has claimed that Maradona needs ‘urgent’ help for his alcohol addiction, insisting that is the reason for his current health issues.

Rocio Oliva, who spent six years with him and came close to marrying him until their split in 2018, told Super Mitre Deportivo: ‘On September 9 he was admitted for the same reason but this time round he was in a worse condition than before.

‘What’s happening here is simple. You can keep him in hospital three or four days and get him better by hydrating him and giving him vitamins but that’s not the solution. 

‘Diego takes sleeping pills, but Diego’s problem is alcohol and it’s well known. Diego is still drinking and whoever says he isn’t is a liar. He needs to be treated for his alcohol addiction.

‘A year ago Diego was a different man. The man we see now can’t speak. He’s got a lot worse.’

Maradona was admitted to the Ipensa Clinic with additional signs of depression on Monday, it was revealed.

Mr Luque said Maradona, whose Hand of God goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England is among the most controversial in the tournament’s history, had ‘felt sad’ for about a week and refused to eat before arriving at the clinic. 

Maradona has lived in La Plata since the end of 2019, when he became coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima.

Maradona turned 60 last Friday and showed up that night for Gimnasia’s national championship match against Patronato, which his team won 3-0. He left before the end of the first half, which raised questions about his health.

Before undergoing surgery on Tuesday, the former Barcelona, Napoli and Boca Juniors star reported feeling better.

‘Diego feels much better than yesterday and feels like leaving,’ Mr Luque said on Tuesday morning. ‘He spent the night well and we have been joking.’

Maradona led Argentina to the World Cup trophy in 1986. He has continued to cause controversy since his heyday as a player, being sent home from the 1994 World Cup in the United States and dropping in and out of the sport as a coach.