The highly-publicized trial concerning the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has commenced, stirring emotions and intrigue across the globe as accusations of negligence against his medical team surface. On March 13, 2025, during the second hearing at court No. 3 of San Isidro, Buenos Aires, lawyer Fernando Burlando, representing Maradona's daughters Dalma and Gianinna, painted the scene of the football icon's final days as "a pigsty, dirt you rarely see," as he sought to establish the neglect his client suffered shortly before his untimely passing.
Assertions made by Burlando were stark and grim, claiming the house where Maradona spent his last days, from November 11 to November 25, 2020, was unfit for anyone, let alone a man of his stature battling serious health issues.
“This house was not only poorly maintained; it was also inappropriate for home care based on Maradona's medical conditions,” he articulated, emphasizing the cramped and unsuitable living conditions. Notably, the bathroom was allegedly less than one meter wide, presenting mobility challenges for Maradona, who was struggling with his health.
The judicial proceedings focus on the roles of seven medical workers accused of involvement in Maradona's death due to reckless negligence—defined under Argentine law as potential manslaughter. Charged are prominent figures such as neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, and several nurses and support staff, all accused of failing their patient when he needed them most.
The trial will probe whether these professionals, entrusted with Maradona's care, adequately recognized and acted upon his rapidly deteriorated health. Prosecutor Patricio Ferreri’s assertions go beyond negligence; they suggest a callous disregard for the star’s life, stating, “The whole team was only interested in filling out forms, proving what they didn’t do.”
Feeding the already emotional proceedings, Maradona’s health backdrop included significant findings: toxicology reports indicated his body was riddled with multiple antidepressants and neuroleptics intended for bipolar treatment, with experts claiming this cocktail of drugs could negatively have impacted his heart function.
From the outset, the treatment regimen has faced scrutiny, particularly the decision made by Luque to release Maradona from hospital care, which Burlando contends was both reckless and unsubstantiated. The lawyer firmly believes had Maradona remained hospitalized, he might well still be alive today — “This hospitalization was absurd, unplanned, and unprecedented,” he argued.
Additional witness testimonies will play out over the course of the trial. This is expected to involve upwards of 100 witnesses and has the potential to extend through July 2025, unraveling the events leading to Maradona's death from cardiac arrest at the age of 60.
Testimonies from those surrounding Maradona at the time of his death will add depth to the legal color of the case, including statements from medical staff and even Maradona's acquaintances who observed his struggles. One notable witness scheduled to speak is Mario Baudry, who assisted Maradona's care, citing, “There was no proper toilet, just makeshift arrangements like you’d find at camps.” Further details from this reinforcement of care obligations will raise serious ethical questions about the medical practitioners involved.
Compounding the complexity of the trial are remarks by Valerio Antonini, president of the Italian football club Trapani. Antonini made waves on Radio Crc, claiming to have evidence indicating Maradona was potentially murdered. He maintained deviation decisions made by Maradona's advisers, especially attorney Matias Morla, misled him, leading to disastrous circumstances for the footballer. Antonini expressed, “There were people who deliberately brought him to such circumstances.”
Meanwhile, the courtroom atmosphere has been punctuated by glimpses of Maradona's family unraveling the emotional burden they carry since the death of the beloved football figure. Dalma Maradona recently recalled her mother’s fears of retaliation against them for pursuing the case, stating, “My mother is scared. She tells me: ‘Shut up, don’t say anything. It frightens me,’ yet I cannot be silent, for I owe him this.
Maradona's legacy now balances precariously between his celebrated footballing feats and the tragic narrative of his demise. The upcoming sessions promise to shed light on lapses and failures by those charged with protecting one of football's greatest icons. With much at stake for all involved, the trial's outcome will decisively reflect on how the medical and legal worlds engage with celebrity health care, providing valuable learning for the future.