Diego Maradona in Critical Health

[Vanhalen 0]

For people who dont know, Maradona is one of the greatest footballers ever, basically dragging Argentina into winning the world cup, a true definition of a one man team, and scorer of the famous hand of god goal

 

Diego Maradona is in an unstable condition in a Buenos Aires hospital with high blood pressure, breathing problems and a lung infection.

His family doctor Alfredo Cahe said Maradona was in a critical condition, and denied the Argentina legend took a cocaine overdose.

 

Maradona, who has been battling drug addiction for years, is being helped to breathe by a respiratory machine.

 

Cahe added the next 24-48 hours would be crucial for the 43-year-old.

 

Doctors at the private clinic were due to make a statement at 1600 BST.

 

Maradona was admitted to the clinic with high blood pressure and respiratory failure just hours after seeing former side Boca Juniors play.

 

It emerged later on Monday he had also developed a lung infection.

 

"His condition is critical. He arrived at hospital in a serious state with breathing difficulty and a swollen heart. He was very feverish."

 

Fans have been gathering outside the private clinic

A statement by the Buenos Aires clinic described Maradona's condition as "unstable".

 

It said: "Maradona is receiving medication to strengthen the heart.

 

"As he has developed acute respiratory failure, he has been put on a ventilator and therefore is heavily sedated."

 

Since being admitted to hospital on Sunday, Maradona has been visited by family and friends, including his ex-wife and their two children.

 

Former Argentina coach Carlos Bilardo, his former agent Guillermo Coppola and ex-Argentina international Hector Enrique have also been to see the stricken star.

 

Cristiana Sinagra, mother of his son Diego junior, said: "We expect him to heal as soon as possible. It's a tough moment but we're confident that he will he get better."

 

Well-wishers crowded outside the clinic as news of Maradona's plight spread, forcing police officers to cordon off the entrance and hold back the crowd.

 

One fan held aloft a photograph of Maradona in his playing prime, while a banner read "Diego, Argentina loves you".

 

In 2000, in Uruguay, Maradona suffered a severe heart attack due to a cocaine overdose.

 

He then began a long recovery treatment in Cuba, but since an overweight Maradona returned to Argentina, speculation and concern has grown over his health.

 

Our South America correspondent Tim Vickery said Maradona's general health had been a concern for many years.

 

"He was continuing to cast his shadow over the Argentine team," he said.

 

"And what a stumpy shadow it has become. He's put on a lot of weight and when, hopefully, he recovers from this, he really does need to get his weight down.

 

"He's putting a lot of pressure on a damaged heart."

 

Maradona enjoyed a colourful 20-year footballing career, moving to Catalan giants Barcelona for £1.7m in 1982 after the World Cup in Spain.

 

In 1984, he signed for Napoli for a then world record £4.1m and transformed a mediocre club into one of the best in Italy and with whom he won the scudetto.

 

Now at the peak of his form, Maradona led Argentina to a 3-2 triumph over West Germany in the 1986 World Cup final.

 

That goal in pictures: Relive Maradona's 1986 classic

 

After leading Napoli to the Uefa Cup in 1989, Maradona again played for Argentina in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

 

But his displays were generally less effective than in 1986 and, although Argentina reached the final, West Germany's Lothar Matthaus was the star of the tournament and led his country to victory.

 

In 1991, Maradona failed a dope test for cocaine and was banned for 15 months.

 

Maradona performed in his fourth World Cup in the United States in 1994 but tested positive for a cocktail of drugs the day before he was due to make a record 22nd appearance in the tournament.

 

In 2000, Maradona tied with Pele for the accolade of Fifa's best ever player.

 

He has also been honoured with a musical about the ups and downs of his turbulent rags-to-riches life.

 

And despite his well-publicised drug problems, Maradona still has a widespread fan club with 20,000 members as far afield as Vietnam and Iceland becoming members of the "Church of Maradona".

[Guest jpclemmons]

can't feel sorry for a guy that stuffed coke in his face for many years. but man what a player he was in his Napoli years, basically winning the scudetto and UEFA cup all by himself with a mediocre team like Argentina 86' .

[lomasmoney 0]

If I am not mistaken wasn't Maradona pretty much like in a situation like Freddy Adu where he was a pro or at least a well known soccer player at a very young age. I mean I know him from when the World Cup was in the USA in 94 and I remember the failed dope test that year, but how amazing was this guy and would he have been better without all the drugs.

[Vanhalen 0]

Its hard to describe, but he basically dragged the Argentina team into winning the world cup in 86, if you only saw him at the world cup in 94, you missed out on so much, even though some of it was against us in the infamous quarter final of 86, where Maradona went wrong about 7 england players and gently dinked the ball past shilton, a truely remarkable goal, and a amazing player.

[TheFranchise 0]

Its hard to describe, but he basically dragged the Argentina team into winning the world cup in 86, if you only saw him at the world cup in 94, you missed out on so much, even though some of it was against us in the infamous quarter final of 86, where Maradona went wrong about 7 england players and gently dinked the ball past shilton, a truely remarkable goal, and a amazing player.

That goal is too overshadowed by the infamous 'hand of god', but it was an amazing goal.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I saw him in a few world cups, but that's about it.

 

Can't say I'm surprised...

[lomasmoney 0]

Yeah ive only seen the last three world cups and I was like a year old when the Hand of God goal was scored but ive seen it before.

[Guest wayzing]

Imho he's the best player ever.

 

He debuted in the World Cup at 21 in Spain'82. The pressure on him was tremendous as he was touted as the biggest talent ever and Barcelona had just payed record breaking money for him. The opponent's defense lines were very brutal with him and he wasn't experienced enough to let it pass. He actually got sent of the pitch in one game after he kicked one of his opponent in the crotch Steve Austin pre-Stunner style after he got kicked down for the 2 millionth time.

 

Four years later he had grown into the best player ever (although Pelé won't agree) and won the World Cup for Argentina more or less single handedly. I think most will agree that no one has ever dominated a World Cup tournament like he did in Mexico 1986.

 

He didn't have the longevity of Pelé but he won the World Cup (and the UEFA cup) surrounded by much weaker team mates than Pelé.

 

Very sad to hear all the crazy stories about him these days.