The name Diego Armando Maradona still echoes through the corridors of football history — a genius whose magic with the ball balanced on the edge of chaos. But the question what happened with Maradona isn’t answered merely by applauding his goals and dribbles. It unravels into tragedy, controversy, and a long, painful legal process that even today shapes how Argentina — and the football world — tries to reckon with his last hours.
In this article, DuitKick will guide you step by step through the medical, judicial, and emotional layers behind the question what happened with Maradona. We’ll dig into the known facts, the controversies, the trial, and where the story stands now — because this isn’t just about a death. It’s about justice, memory, and the legacy of one of football’s immortals.
Early November 2020: Signs Of Trouble
Hospitalization And Brain Surgery
In early November 2020, shortly after celebrating his 60th birthday, Maradona was admitted to a clinic in La Plata with symptoms that included anemia, dehydration, and signs of depression. He was later diagnosed with a subdural hematoma — a dangerous accumulation of blood on the brain — which led to emergency neurosurgery. After a successful surgery, he was discharged about a week later to recover at home.
Return To Home Care
Unlike many patients in critical condition, Maradona was sent home to convalesce. He moved into a rented house in the Tigre area, under publicized “home care.” Many critics later pointed out that his house lacked the specialized monitoring equipment and constant staff presence that such a fragile patient should have received.
In those days, Maradona’s long history of health complications—driven by a lifetime of excesses, substance struggles, and physical strain—cast long shadows over his recovery. He had battled addiction, undergone bariatric surgeries, and had periods of hospitalization over the years.
Morning Of November 25, 2020: The Final Hours
Discovery And Failed Resuscitation
On the morning of November 25, 2020, Maradona was reportedly found unresponsive in his bed by his psychiatrist and psychologist, who had come for scheduled visits. Attempts at cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were quickly begun, and emergency services were called. The first ambulance unit reached the scene around 12:28 pm, but despite their efforts and multiple resuscitation attempts, the great “10” could not be revived. A doctor later confirmed his death around 13:10 local time.
Autopsy: A Death Foretold
Postmortem examinations revealed that Maradona died from acute pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs) due to congestive heart failure, compounded by dilated cardiomyopathy. His heart was described as being enlarged — approximately twice the normal weight — and filled with fat and blood clots. The presence of 4–5 liters of fluid in various organs suggested a slow buildup, not a sudden catastrophe.
Forensic experts testified that Maradona had endured up to 12 hours of agony before death, during which multiple vital organs—including kidneys and liver—showed signs of damage, swelling, and severe strain. Experts also highlighted neglect, noting he had not been checked on after around 12:30 am on the day of his death.
The Legal Battle: Who Bears Responsibility?
Accusations Of Negligence
Soon after the tragedy, questions arose about the care Maradona received in his final days. In June 2022, a court charged eight medical staff members, including his personal physician, psychiatrist, a psychologist, a co-doctor, two nurses, and a medical coordinator, with criminal negligence and homicide by omission — in effect arguing that their failures accelerated his demise.
In March 2025, the trial officially began in San Isidro, Argentina. Prosecutors contended that the medical team had “abandoned” him: that they failed to monitor him properly, delayed critical checks, and insisted on a home care setup that was “inadequate for a patient in need.” If convicted, those on trial could face between 8 and 25 years in prison.
Witnesses, Medical Testimony, And Counterclaims
Testimony in court has been dramatic. Doctors who knew Maradona challenged the decision to discharge him so early. One physician insisted pridefully that “no doctor” should have allowed such neglect, while ex-wife Verónica Ojeda testified that the team convinced the family to go ahead with home care despite lacking pro, points to Maradona’s complex medical history, his erratic compliance, and the unpredictability of his condition. They claim that he was a difficult patient, sometimes rejecting care or doses, and argue there was no violent wrongdoing or direct cause-and-effect that could have prevented his death.
A Courtroom Twist: Trial Declared Void
In May 2025, just months into the courtroom drama, the trial was declared a mistrial. One of the three presiding judges, Julieta Makintach, stepped down after criticism arose over her involvement in a documentary about the case. The court deemed her participation unethical, compromising impartiality.
A ruling voided the trial altogether, mandating a restart with a fresh panel of judges. No new trial date has yet been confirmed. Thus, after years of waiting, the question what happened with Maradona still lacks definitive legal closure.
The Broader Context: Health, Legacy & Lessons
Decades of Damage
Maradona’s health in his later years was a ticking time bomb. After retiring, he battled obesity, high blood pressure, substance abuse, and repeated hospitalizations. He underwent two bariatric operations (in 2005 and 2015) to manage his weight. His body carried the cumulative toll of years of physical strain, stress, and lifestyle extremes.
National Trauma And Public Demand
In Argentina, Maradona’s death was more than a personal tragedy — it became a national wound. When his coffin lay in state at the Casa Rosada, tens of thousands of fans filed past to say farewell. His passing prompted three days of national mourning. The public outcry transformed into a demand for accountability: “Justice for Diego” increasingly became a political as well as emotional slogan.
The Risk Of Home Hospitalization
One of the central debates in this saga is whether Maradona should ever have been discharged. Critics argue that his house had deficiencies: no defibrillator, no round-the-clock ICU staff, and too much reliance on remote monitoring. Supporters of the medical team claim that keeping him longer in hospital carried its own dangers.
Conclusion
What happened with Maradona remains a potent mixture of fact, anguish, and unfinished justice. We know how the season of November 2020 unfolded — brain surgery, home discharge, gradual onset of pulmonary edema, and a painful 12-hour decline. We know he had years of health struggles behind him, making him fragile long before that final morning.
But the rest? The question of accountability still lingers in Argentine courtrooms. The case was declared a mistrial in 2025 and must be restarted, leaving unanswered who allowed him to suffer, who failed him, and who — if anyone — should pay the price.
If you want to dive dee, medical witnesses’ quotes, or comparisons to other sports-related deaths, just say the word. Let’s explore together — because Maradona’s story is far
