On March 11, 2025, the highly anticipated trial concerning the death of football legend Diego Armando Maradona commenced at the Criminal Court No. 3 of San Isidro, Buenos Aires, following years of preparations and public interest. The trial focuses on determining whether seven medical professionals acted with negligence during Maradona's final days, which tragically concluded on November 25, 2020, due to heart failure.
Maradona, who passed away at the age of 60, had been recovering from surgery for a subdural hematoma just weeks before his death. He was found dead at his home, located in the private neighborhood of San Andrés, Tigre. The court proceedings are set against the backdrop of emotional fanfare, with supporters chanting his name and calling for justice outside the courthouse, reminiscent of Maradona's glorious footballing days.
The roster of those accused includes prominent figures such as Leopoldo Luque, Maradona's personal physician, and Agustina Cosachov, his psychiatrist. Prosecutors allege they, along with others, failed to provide appropriate care during Maradona's home confinement. The emotional weight of this trial extends to Maradona's five children—Dalma, Giannina, Jana, Diego, and Diego Fernando—who are plaintiffs seeking accountability for their father's care, which they claim was inadequate.
On the first day of proceedings, the prosecutor Patricio Ferrari argued, "The home hospitalization was disastrous," emphasizing failure on the part of the health team to meet their responsibilities. He presented damning evidence, including photographs showing Maradona’s condition at the time of his death, stating, "This is how Maradona died, the state was eloquent." The imagery sparked outrage among fans and family members present, who described Maradona's care as lacking and deeply flawed.
Already, the defense has begun to contest these accusations, as attorney Nicolás Fernando D'Albora asserted, "If there is criminal responsibility for Maradona's death, it rests solely on Luque and Cosachov, not on those performing administrative tasks." This highlights the complexity of the case, as lawyers seek to delineate between the roles of those involved.
The emotional atmosphere surrounding the trial is palpable, as supporters of Maradona have gathered, many bearing banners emblazoned with the cry for justice, such as "Justice for D10S." On the courthouse steps, relatives of the late king of football struggled to contain their grief as insults were hurled at the accused. Verónica Ojeda, the mother of Maradona’s youngest son, expressed her disdain upon seeing Cosachov, confronting her with allegations of negligence.
Leading up to this trial, Maradona's medical care has been under scrutiny, with claims of abandonment during his final moments and evidence from his autopsy indicating his death was due to acute pulmonary edema and chronic heart failure. Prosecutors are expected to showcase testimony from more than 100 witnesses out of an initial pool of 300, which may illuminate the various flaws within Maradona's care regimen.
The trial could pave the way for significant discussions about medical responsibility, particularly relating to how care decisions can impact lives, especially for public figures like Maradona. His case has shone a spotlight on the complex interplay between celebrity and medical ethics.
Leopoldo Luque, faced with serious accusations, has maintained he did not neglect Maradona but rather acted with great care. His attorney Mara Digiuni has insisted, “My client acted responsibly,” framing the larger narrative of his defense around the demands placed on medical professionals treating such high-profile patients. Meanwhile, Cosachov faces allegations for prescribing contraindicated medications and failing to provide adequate emergency intervention.
The trial, now expected to extend for several months, hangs on revelations made during court hearings. The judges will weigh the testimonies against the backdrop of Maradona’s storied legacy, as they navigate through the stark realities of his medical treatment during the last year of his life.
Concluding the emotional day, family members of Maradona echoed the sentiments of many; seeking closure and justice for the loss of their father and the pressures of living under the spotlight. The emotional rollercoaster of this trial—which many believe could take between eight to twenty-five years from the defendants, should they be found guilty—will continue to captivate not only Argentina but sports fans around the globe. Many are left to wonder how this chapter will reshape the legacy of the beloved Diego Maradona.