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The director of the Olivos Clinic, where Argentine football legend Diego Maradona underwent surgery just weeks before his death in 2020, testified on Tuesday that the star consumed alcohol during his recovery and exhibited difficult behavior, making his later transfer to home care inappropriate.
Dr. Dimitrov, the clinic’s medical director, revealed that neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque—one of seven medical professionals currently on trial over Maradona’s death—had requested a facility to operate on Maradona in early November 2020.
Maradona, 60, had been diagnosed with a subdural hematoma and underwent surgery to remove the blood clot between his skull and brain. He remained in intensive care from November 4 to 11, before being moved to a private residence for recovery, where he died on November 25.
Prosecutors have highlighted serious shortcomings in Maradona’s home care as central to the case. A cardiologist has already testified against the decision to move the former footballer out of Olivos Clinic, citing concerns about his condition.
While the operation itself wasn’t deemed an emergency, Dimitrov said the indicators suggested it was necessary. Following surgery, Maradona reportedly exhibited withdrawal-like symptoms consistent with alcohol dependency and became increasingly difficult to manage.
“We were dealing with an aggressive patient who pulled out his own IV lines,” Dimitrov told the court. “It was extremely challenging to consider sending him home.”
The clinic director also said he discussed Maradona’s behavior and condition with both Dr. Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov—also among the accused—as well as the footballer’s family. Dimitrov claimed he requested sedatives for Maradona, which were administered for roughly 24 hours during his stay at the clinic.
Maradona’s death, attributed to acute pulmonary edema and chronic heart failure, shocked the footballing world and triggered an ongoing investigation into possible medical negligence. The current trial seeks to determine whether those charged failed in their duty of care to one of sport’s most iconic figures.
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