In the ongoing trial regarding the 2020 death of football icon Diego Maradona, his former masseur, Nicolas Taffarel, provided emotional testimony on Thursday. Taffarel described the 1986 World Cup winner as being bedridden, visibly bloated, and suffering from swollen legs in his final days. According to the witness, Maradona appeared to have lost his will, stating that he “wouldn’t get out of bed, he didn’t want to eat, he didn’t want to wash, he didn’t want to look after his personal hygiene.”
Taffarel recounted how he had repeatedly urged the medical team to increase their presence, suggesting they visit “every day” to monitor the patient. In audio evidence presented to the court, the masseur expressed his frustration, noting that despite his reports regarding the concerning symptoms, he witnessed no concrete action or swift resolution from the professionals. He recalled that when he raised these alarms, the doctors simply told him to remain calm and assured him that the swelling would eventually subside.
The day before his death, on November 24, Taffarel attempted to encourage the football legend to join him for a drink of mate. During this interaction, Maradona reportedly told him, “I don’t want anything, Taffita, that’s it.” When pressed for clarification, Maradona simply repeated, “Nothing, that’s it.” The phrase “ya esta,” as recalled by Taffarel, carried an ambiguous tone that could imply either that everything was fine or that the end had arrived.
Maradona passed away alone in his bed the following day at age 60. Medical reports confirmed the cause of death as heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema—a condition involving fluid accumulation in the lungs—occurring just two weeks after he had undergone surgery.
Since mid-April, seven healthcare professionals have been standing trial in Argentina, facing allegations of negligence that may have contributed to the tragedy. The defendants, who could face prison sentences of up to 25 years if convicted, have consistently denied any responsibility. Many of the accused argue that their specific medical roles were limited and lacked a direct causal link to the clinical factors that led to his death.
As the legal proceedings continue, the court is expected to deliberate further, with the trial potentially extending beyond the current month. Taffarel, visibly moved during his testimony, emphasized the helplessness he felt while watching the decline of a man who had once reached the pinnacle of global sport.
He claimed that at the time he had alerted the 1986 World Cup winner’s medical team that they should be more present and visit “every day”, as heard in an audio message played in court.
