He is now in a stable condition
Diego Maradona had to be taken to hospital after Argentina’s 2-1 win over Nigeria last night, as he struggled to climb the stairs on his way out of the stadium at full-time.
He was taken to a hospital in St Petersburg by the stadium’s medical team, as ESPN’s Diego Cora reports.
Maradona tuvo que ser atendido por los médicos y fue llevado a un hospital. El video que circula muestra cuando lo sacan descompensado. https://t.co/9D4FLd55Ah
— DiegoCora (@diegocoraok) June 26, 2018
The former Argentina player was extremely lively during the match as he watched from a private box in St Petersburg. He was spotted several times throughout the game overwhelmed with emotion as his country’s World Cup hopes were on a knife edge
He was overcome with joy when Marcos Rojo scored Argentina’s winning goal, getting on the end of Mercao’s cross, to send Argentina into the next round. Maradona was seen gesturing aggressively towards Nigeria fans during the celebrations.
El Diego then suffered what is reported to be a high blood pressure scare as he struggled to walk unassisted.
Video footage has emerged of Maradona being carried from his seat.
Se descompuso #Maradona #ElDiego pic.twitter.com/s3zqxx14pl
— A N G E L (@AngeldebritoOk) June 26, 2018
The footballing icon has since recovered and was able to fly back to Moscow.
🛫 Maradona ya vuela en avión privado desde San Petersburgo a Moscú aparentemente recuperado (vía @pvillegas_tlSUR). pic.twitter.com/TPzit4NQzj
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) June 26, 2018
Maradona’s antics during the game, in particular his obscene gesture after Rojo’s winning goal, did not go down with the BBC’s punditry panel.
Gary Lineker said: “Maradona’s in danger of becoming a laughing stock, I’m afraid.”
Rio Ferdinand added: “His career as a football player on the pitch was up there with the best, but unfortunately there are moments like this that do arrive. It is not nice to see that.”
