Diego "Drug OverDose"

[pies4ever]

Maradona heart attack
From correspondents in Buenos Aires
April 19, 2004

ARGENTINE soccer legend Diego Maradona suffered a heart attack and is now in intensive care and linked to a respirator, a Buenos Aires clinic said.



Maradona's doctor, Rafael Cahe, said doctors would not be able to give an assessment of the 43-year-old star's recovery prospects for one or two days.

Sources said earlier that Maradona, 43,had been admitted to a private Buenos Aires clinic because of a drug overdose.

The TN report quoted members of Maradona's "intimate circle" as saying the former star footballer was in "critical condition" following an overdose and that there were fears for his heart.

Maradona has a history of drug abuse and has been battling addiction for years. He was once suspended from playing football after testing positive for cocaine.

Maradona's father, Diego, his ex-wife, Claudia Villafane, and their two children, Dalma and Gianina, were reported to be at the hospital.

This has heightened speculation about the condition of the former skipper of Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning team.

Maradona arrived at the Swiss-Argentine run clinic with Rafael Cahe, a physician known for having previously treated former Argentine president Carlos Menem.

"He wanted to have a few health check-ups," one of the former footballer's close relatives told reporters as rumours started that Maradona was in an intensive-care unit.

Maradona's recent return to Argentina from Cuba on March 22 had prompted concern and speculation about his health because of the excess weight he has put on.

Maradona had earlier watched his former club Boca Juniors play league rivals Nuevo Chicago but left during the second half and was later admitted to the clinic.

Since January 2000, Maradona has spent a lot of time in Cuba where he has already made attempts to kick his alleged drug habit.

Maradona played 91 matches for Argentina and scored 34 goals, including his infamous "hand of God" goal against England when he fisted the ball into the net. His career began in 1977 and ended in 1994.

He has played for a host of famous clubs including Boca Juniors, Newells Old Boys and Napoli in Italy's Serie A. Maradona also played for Barcelona and Sevilla in Spain.

Agence France-Presse


cheers bryan..!!

[pies4ever]

Maradona fighting for his life after heart failure

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who has a history of drug abuse, was under intensive care in a Buenos Aires clinic after suffering acute heart failure.

The Suizo-Argentina clinic said in a statement that the 43-year-old former captain of the Argentine national team was unable to breathe by himself.

His doctor, Alfredo Cahe, told reporters that Maradona's reaction over the next 24-48 hours would be crucial to his recovery chances.

Buenos Aires swirled with rumours about the cause of the illness, with the TN television channel saying Maradona had a drug overdose.


Maradona, who is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been battling drug addiction for years. He was suspended while playing in the Italian championship in the 1990s after testing positive for cocaine.

The Buenos Aires clinic said Maradona was admitted after suffering "congestive heart failure" caused by high blood pressure.

It said Maradona "is receiving medication to strengthen the heart; and as he developed acute respiratory failure he was put on a ventilator and therefore is heavily sedated."

"The reaction to the medication has been favourable, and he is stablised." But the statement said doctors gave only a "reserved" assessment of his condition.

Cahe told reporters outside the clinic "we will have to wait 24-to-48 hours to know the evolution." Cahe refused to answer questions about whether Maradona had had a drug overdose.

Cahe accompanied Maradona when he was taken to the clinic.

The TN report quoted members of Maradona's "intimate circle" as saying the former footballer was rushed to hospital following an overdose.

Maradona's father, Diego, his ex-wife, Claudia Villafane, and their two children, Dalma and Gianina, had been at the hospital.

And this heightened speculation about the condition of the former skipper of Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning team.

"He wanted to have a few health check-ups," one of the former footballer's close relatives told reporters as rumours mounted that Maradona was in intensive care. The clinic released the statement as it became the subject of international attention.

Maradona's recent return to Argentina from Cuba on March 22 had prompted concern and speculation about his health because of the excess weight he has put on.

Maradona had earlier watched his former club Boca Juniors play league rivals Nuevo Chicago but left during the second half and was later admitted to the clinic.

Since January 2000, Maradona has spent a lot of time in Cuba where he has already made attempts to kick his alleged drug habit.

Maradona played 91 matches for Argentina and scored 34 goals, including his infamous "hand of God" goal against England when he fisted the ball into the net. His career began in 1977 and ended in 1994.

He has played for a host of famous clubs including Boca Juniors, Newells Old Boys and Napoli in Italy's Serie A. Maradona also played for Barcelona and Sevilla in Spain.


cheers bryan..!!

[GreekLunatic]

the drugs finally took hold of him wow he would have been the best ifnt it wasnt for his drug habits

[commonwombat]

This is tragic news for anyone who loves soccer and indeed high-level sport.

This man has many personal weaknesses and a few of his deeds on the football field were not admirable but he was an artist; a footballer of rare genius.

Such sportspeople, whatever their sport, raise it to a level of a performing art and such was Diego Maradonna. He may have only used one foot, but wht he could do with that left boot far exceeded most top class players using 2.

His self-destructive streak cut short his carrer and it looks possible that it may cost his life. This will cast a shadow over his legacy but nothing can diminish his rare talent which ranks him amongst soccer's immortals. It is a cherished memory of mine that I saw him play on a few occaisions, and it is those memories that I will refer to where he is concerned.

[TRELOS]

im a HUGE soccer fan, and hav actually had the honour of meeting the great man and its a memory i'll never forget, i really hope that he pulls through as his like an idol to me and my role model (on the soccer field)

Get well soon Diego!!!

[I@n S]

Yuck.. hes nothing but a drugy and cheat.
You'd like to win a game using you're hand TuPac?
Mind you i'm glad you've pointed out 'On the soccer field' dispite the hand ball.