Maradona surgery for bleeding on brain ‘a success’, spokesman says

Diego Maradona underwent successful surgery on Tuesday for possible bleeding on his brain less than a week after his 60th birthday, his public relations team has said.

“It was all successful and it happened as expected,” Maradona’s PR spokesman said in a statement.

Maradona had a subdural hematoma, which is an accumulation of blood between a membrane and his brain, his personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque, said.

Mr Luque, a neurologist, said the problem likely was caused by an accident, but Maradona has said he does not recall such an incident.

The Argentine soccer great will rest in his room in a private clinic outside Buenos Aires for at least 48 hours.

Maradona was accompanied to the clinic by his daughters Dalma, Giannina and Jana and other relatives, according to local media.

The surgery followed came after the 1986 World Cup champion was admitted to another clinic, in the city of La Plata, after suffering anemia and dehydration.

Donato Villani, the head of the Argentine national team’s medical staff, told television channel TyC Sports that such a surgery normally went smoothly added “it is different with Diego” due to Maradona’s past treatment for cardiac problems and his use of drugs and alcohol.

Maradona was admitted to the Ipensa Clinic with signs of depression on Monday.

Mr Luque said Maradona, whose Hand of God goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England is among the most controversial in the tournament’s history, had felt sad for about a week and refused to eat before arriving at the clinic.

Maradona has lived in La Plata since the end of 2019, when he became coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima.

Maradona turned 60 last Friday and showed up that night for Gimnasia’s national championship match against Patronato, which his team won 3-0. He left before the end of the first half, which raised questions about his health.

Before undergoing surgery on Tuesday, the former star for Barcelona, Napoli and Boca Juniors reported feeling better.

“Diego feels much better than yesterday and feels like leaving,” Mr Luque said on Tuesday morning. “He spent the night well and we have been joking.”

Maradona led Argentina to a World Cup title in 1986. He has continued to cause controversy since his heyday as a player, being sent home from the 1994 World Cup in the United States and dropping in and out of the sport as a coach.