DIEGO Maradona could have been saved by a simple operation, his ex-doctor has revealed at a retrial over the football icon’s horror death.
The Argentine legend could have recovered in “48 hours” according to the medic – with another expert alleging that recommended further tests had been ignored.
Maradona’s death could have been saved in hours, a doctor has alleged Credit: AFP
Maradona’s former doctor Leopoldo Luque (C) is seen at a retrial over the icon’s death in San Isidro, outskirts of Buenos Aires on April 14 Credit: AFP
Maradona of heart failure aged 60 in 2020 while recuperating at home weeks after an op to remove a blood clot on his brain.
Seven doctors have been accused of as he died from a heart attack.
A doctor who used to treat Maradona testified on Thursday that a simple diuretic could have helped the ailing star’s health improve “within 48 hours”.
Dr Mario Schiter said: “In about 48 hours, his condition would have clearly improved.
Maradona allegedly could have been saved, a doctor has claimed Credit: Getty
Maradona’s daughters Gianina (L) and Dalma attend the trial for their father’s death, in Buenos Aires, May 2025 Credit: EPA
“Every day I see patients like this in intensive care, who come in with congestive heart failure.
“We give them diuretics to reduce their volume and, after 12 hours, they’re already back home.”
Several experts have also alleged at the trial that Maradona had excess fluid in several organs when he died.
Carlos Casinelli said last Thursday: “He had water everywhere.”
The 1986 World Cup winner died in 2020 Credit: Getty
Maradona struggled with alcohol and cocaine addictions off the pitch Credit: Reuters
Additionally, the last cardiologist to treat Maradona before his death in 2020 said the sports icon’s head doctor, Leopoldo Luque, rejected suggestions to carry out further testing to discard a potential .
Oscar Franco alleged that after performing an electrocardiogram on Maradona he recommended more tests.
But he claimed that the star’s chief physician, Luque – who is one of the seven people facing charges – allegedly rejected the proposal.
He said in court: “I recommended more comprehensive testing to rule out coronary artery disease.
Judge Julieta Makintach, 47, was accused of authorising the filming of a documentary during the oral trial for the death of Maradona
Prosecutors previously shocked the court with a graphic image of the footballer in 2025 Credit: Canal CBA
“It’s called a perfusion scan. It’s highly predictive of whether the disease is present.
“But it wasn’t performed because [Luque] decided against it.”
The seven defendants include Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Angel Diaz, physician Nancy Edith Forlini, nurse Ricardo Almiron, head nurse Mariano Ariel Perroni, and physician Pedro Pablo Di Spagna.
They are facing a retrial in San Isidro, near Buenos Aires, where nearly 100 witnesses are giving evidence over the death of the legend.
An eighth defendant – nurse Dahiana Madrid – will face court in a separate jury trial at a later date.
All eight co-accused have denied wrongdoing.
Last May, a mistrial was declared when it was revealed that judge Julieta Makintach had been interviewed by a camera crew two months into the case in the corridors of the courthouse and in her office.
The bombshell had been part of a documentary.
Dubbed the “judge of God”, she featured in a trailer for the six-part mini-series which was embarrassingly played to the court.
Her involvement in the show was in breach of the judicial rules and she was forced to resign.
The five-month trial exposed chilling claims about the footballer’s death, including being treated like an animal by the medical team.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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