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Football

27th Jun 2018

Diego Maradona’s update reveals he was treated by doctor at halftime of Argentina game

'How could I leave?'

Simon Lloyd

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.

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.

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!’

Castellano | Italiano | Inglés Quiero contarles que estoy bien, que no estoy ni estuve internado. En el entretiempo del partido con Nigeria me dolía mucho la nuca y sufrí una descompensación. Me revisó un médico y me recomendó que me fuera a casa antes del segundo tiempo, pero yo quise quedarme porque nos estábamos jugando todo. ¿Cómo me iba a ir? Les mando un beso a todos, perdón por el susto y gracias por el aguante, hay Diego para rato! Voglio solo dirvi che sto bene, che non sono e non sono stato ricoverato. Durante l'intervallo della partita con la Nigeria ho avuto un forte dolore alla nuca e un mancamento. Un medico mi ha visitato e mi ha consigliato di tornare a casa prima del secondo tempo, ma ho deciso di rimanere perché ci stavamo giocando il tutto per tutto. Come sarei potuto andarmene? Un bacio a tutti e grazie per il supporto… Diego ci sarà ancora per un bel po'! I want to tell everyone that I am fine, that I am not, neither was I interned. 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!

A post shared by Diego Maradona Oficial (@maradona) on

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.