Diego Maradona’s final days are the subject of a high-profile trial, with seven healthcare professionals accused of criminal negligence in connection with his death. The Argentine football legend passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60, while recovering from brain surgery to remove a blood clot. His death, attributed to heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, occurred just two weeks after the operation.
The trial, ongoing in the Buenos Aires suburb of San Isidro, has drawn attention to Maradona’s care during his final days. Prosecutors have described the situation as a “horror theater,” accusing the medical team of gross negligence in their handling of Maradona’s health. One key issue under investigation is the decision to allow Maradona to recover at home instead of in a medical facility, a move that could have put his life at risk.
Neurosurgeon Rodolfo Benvenuti, who supervised Maradona’s surgery, testified that Maradona was a “very difficult patient.” He recalled Maradona’s defiance and reluctance to undergo necessary procedures, including a CT scan before surgery. Benvenuti further described how Maradona insisted on leaving the clinic as soon as possible after the operation, expressing a strong preference for home care rather than hospitalization.
Despite Benvenuti’s belief that Maradona’s condition required daily medical assessment, evidence presented in court indicated that the medical team only scheduled weekly doctor visits. In one instance, a scheduled visit was canceled because Maradona refused to see a doctor. Tragically, Maradona was found dead in his bed by a day nurse, highlighting the lack of consistent monitoring during his recovery.
The trial continues to examine the circumstances surrounding Maradona’s home care, with prosecutors arguing that the medical team’s actions endangered his life. The accused professionals face sentences ranging from eight to 25 years in prison if convicted of “homicide with possible intent.” The trial, which began in March, is expected to continue until July, and will likely shed further light on the events leading up to Maradona’s untimely death.
