The trial over the death of football legend Diego Maradona has been rocked by a medical testimony that challenges the prosecution’s narrative of a prolonged death struggle. The expert stated that Maradona’s heart was “completely normal” and that his death resulted from a sudden, unpredictable event.
In a dramatic development in the trial that has captured global attention, seven members of Maradona’s medical team face charges of possible intentional homicide. The prosecution alleges they knew their actions or negligence could lead to the death of the “Number 10” and that they could have foreseen the fatal outcome.
Cardiologist’s Testimony Contradicts Prosecution
Cardiologist Ricardo Iglesias, testifying before the San Isidro court, delivered a major surprise. According to his testimony reported by France 24, he said: “Maradona suffered an acute event due to irregular heartbeat, and that is why he died. Sudden acute events are unpredictable, and there were no indicators of this kind of end.”
Iglesias’s testimony directly contradicts the prosecution experts’ report, which claimed in earlier sessions that Maradona endured prolonged suffering and a death struggle lasting hours due to untreated heart failure.
The doctor settled the debate by stating: “The heart is completely normal; I find no evidence supporting a prolonged death struggle,” denying the narrative that Maradona was dying for 12 hours before his death.
Iglesias revealed that the football icon was not suffering from any active heart disease in 2020. He explained that after Maradona stopped using drugs that caused a heart attack in 2000, his heart achieved a “full recovery.”
Home Care and Responsibility
Regarding the controversial home care in the Tigre area north of Buenos Aires, where Maradona died on November 25, 2020, at age 60 from cardiorespiratory arrest linked to acute pulmonary edema following head surgery, Iglesias placed responsibility on the “prepaid medical company.” He considered the treating team’s actions logical, especially since Maradona was not prescribed any heart treatment upon leaving the hospital.
This was not the only testimony supporting the defense. Clinical doctor José Antonio Maya, called by the defense of main defendant neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, gave similar testimony. He said: “Maradona underwent several surgeries, and cardiac evaluations before each operation determined his anesthesia risk was ASA 2 (intermediate). He was not a patient at cardiac risk.”
Trial Enters Final Stage
The lengthy trial, which began in April in San Isidro, is entering its final and decisive phase. The seven defendants—including doctors, nurses, and a psychiatrist—face up to 25 years in prison, and all maintain their innocence.
The closing arguments from the 13 parties involved—six prosecution and seven defense—are scheduled to begin on October 8, with a few witnesses remaining before the curtain falls on one of the most sensational sports cases in history.