Argentina is set to begin a highly anticipated trial this week against the medical team that treated legendary footballer Diego Maradona, accusing them of homicide by negligence. The case has reignited emotions in a nation where Maradona remains a near-mythical figure, even four years after his passing.
The trial, which is expected to stretch over several months, will commence on Tuesday in San Isidro, a district on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. It comes after Maradona’s shocking death in November 2020 at the age of 60 due to heart failure, just days after undergoing brain surgery. His medical team, facing charges of “simple homicide with eventual intent,” has denied any wrongdoing. The court will hear testimony from nearly 120 witnesses as it seeks to determine whether Maradona’s caregivers acted with negligence.
Maradona’s death sent shockwaves through Argentina, triggering national mourning and sparking fierce debates over accountability. The football icon, who carried Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, battled substance abuse and health issues for years. Known as “D10S”—a fusion of his jersey number 10 and the Spanish word for God—Maradona was worshipped by fans worldwide, his flaws only adding to his legend.
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A medical board investigating the circumstances of his death concluded in early 2021 that his medical team had acted in an “inappropriate, deficient, and reckless manner.” This finding fueled public outrage, with many Argentines demanding justice. Luis Alberto Suárez, a local merchant, voiced his frustration, saying, “They killed him. Diego should be alive. They didn’t take care of him.”
Not everyone is convinced, however. Some argue that while mistakes may have been made, assigning blame is complex. “I can only speak from the outside, but we can’t say if they were wrong or not,” said self-employed worker Martin Milei. “In hindsight, they got it completely wrong. But I think there are more people responsible than what’s being said.”
For many, the trial represents an opportunity to uncover the truth behind the football legend’s final days. Unemployed Argentine Pablo Knopfler expressed hope that justice would prevail. “I hope this trial brings clarity to what really happened to Diego,” he said. “Maybe there’s someone up above, or even Diego himself, who wants the truth to come out.”
With the world watching, Argentina braces for a legal showdown that could reshape the legacy of one of football’s greatest icons.
