Maradona recovering well after brain surgery

 

Argentine football great Diego Maradona is progressing well after brain surgery on a blood clot and could be discharged this week, his doctor said on Monday.

Maradona, 60, underwent surgery last Tuesday to remove a clot lodged between his brain and skull.

“Diego is in the mood to leave, and we are evaluating the discharge that could be tomorrow or probably Wednesday, we have to see the clinical parameters, but the progress is very good,” Leopoldo Luque told reporters.

Maradona, who went into isolation two weeks ago after one of his bodyguards displayed coronavirus symptoms, had looked unwell during a brief appearance on October 30 at his 60th birthday celebration at the stadium of Gimnasia y Esgrima, the Argentine Primera Division team he coaches.

Since his surgery, he has progressed well, although Luque had revealed Thursday that Maradona was receiving intensive treatment and sedatives for withdrawal symptoms. This treatment began to be scaled back on Monday.

Luque also played down a rumour cited by local press about the presence of a Covid-19 patient in the clinic.

“Covid is everywhere, there is nothing here that there is not elsewhere, and the care and protocols are followed to perfection,” he said.

Luque also avoided specifying where Maradona will recuperate once he is discharged.

“We will discuss these issues when the time comes, we will discuss them together with the family. We all agree to take Diego forward,” he said.

Maradona’s daughters Dalma, Giannina and Jana visit him daily at the clinic.