Maradona ‘confused’, to remain in hospital – Doctor

 

Argentine legend Diego Maradona is to be kept in hospital for several more days after suffering from “confusion” caused by an unexplained “abstinence” that followed his brain surgery this week, his doctor said on Thursday.

“We all know Diego,” physician Leopoldo Luque told reporters outside the clinic where three days ago Maradona had an operation on a subdural haematoma, a blood clot on the brain.

“In the post-operatory phase there were some episodes of confusion that we associate with abstinence.”

Abstinence to what Luque did not say but Maradona, the former Barcelona, Napoli and Boca Juniors player, has previously battled addiction to drink and drugs.

“The idea is to treat him for the abstinence,” Luque added. “We think this is what has to be done, we think this is best for Diego.”

His comments came hours after he told reporters that Maradona, the 60-year-old coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima, felt well enough to tell doctors he should be discharged.

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, has spent frequent periods in hospital over the years, often due to his extravagant lifestyle.