Diego Maradona has moved to reassure fans that he is ‘fine’ after receiving medical attention on Tuesday night
The Argentina legend was in attendance as his country sealed their passage to the World Cup knockout stages with victory over Nigeria in Saint Petersburg.
Argentina won the game courtesy of a well-taken volley from Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo four minutes from the end of regulation time. Maradona was seen manically celebrating the goal and also directing middle-finger gestures at supporters.
sos campeon del mundo diego jajajajajajaja pic.twitter.com/fSS6HsY4ap
— Nahuel👑 (@Nahuelmarin17) June 26, 2018
Footage later appeared online showing the 57-year-old being helped from his seat into one of the hospitality boxes where he was seen collapsing into a chair.
https://twitter.com/SteveSpoiler/status/1011708934816706560
It was later claimed Maradona had received treatment from a paramedic, with further reports claiming he was taken to a local hospital shortly afterwards.
In a post on his official social media pages, Maradona has now explained that he is ‘fine’ after the incident. He also explained he had been suffering with neck pain during the first half and had been seen by a doctor at half-time. Despite being advised to ‘go home’, Maradona opted to stay put and watch the remainder of the game.
‘I want to tell everyone that I am fine, that I am not, neither was I interned,’ the post reads. ‘In the halftime of the game against Nigeria, my neck hurt a lot and I suffered a decompensation.
‘I was checked by a doctor and he recommended me to go home before the second half, but I wanted to stay because we were risking it all.
‘How could I leave? I send a kiss to everyone, thanks for the support!’
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkgtn_ahCQo/?hl=en&taken-by=maradona
Argentina’s win over Nigeria means they will now face a last 16 meeting with France next Saturday. Croatia, who beat Jorge Sampaoli’s men 3-0 last week, won the group and will face Denmark in the next round.
