BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) – “Confusion” triggered by “abstinence” will keep Soccer legend Diego Maradona in hospital for several more days. He had to undergo a brain surgery this week.
“We all know Diego,” physician Leopoldo Luque told media persons outside the clinic. Maradona had to be operated for a subdural haematoma, a blood clot on the brain.
“In the post-operatory phase, there were some episodes of confusion that we associate with abstinence.”
The doctor did not elaborate on abstinence. But the former Barcelona, Napoli and Boca Juniors player had battled an addiction to liquor and drugs previously.
“The idea is to treat him for the abstinence,” Luque added. “We think this is what has to be done, we think this is best for Diego.”
This comes hours after he told the media that Maradona felt well and told doctors that he should be discharged.
In 2000, he almost died of cocaine-induced cardiac arrest and had to undergo rehab in Cuba where he became friends with former president Fidel Castro.
In 2005, he had to undergo gastric bypass operation to shed pounds and was hospitalised two years later for life-threatening alcohol-induced hepatitis.
During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he fell ill.