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Football

26th Jun 2018

Diego Maradona taken to hospital after Argentina’s win over Nigeria

He reportedly struggled to climb the stairs on his way out of the stadium

Reuben Pinder

The footballing icon was attended to by medics after the game. He is now in a stable condition.

Diego Maradona was extremely lively during Argentina’s match against Nigeria tonight. He was visibly overwhelmed after Marcos Rojo’s winning goal to send Argentina into the next round, as he gestured aggressively towards Nigeria fans during the celebrations.

But the former Argentina player had to be taken to hospital after the final whistle, as he struggled to climb the stairs on his way out of the stadium.

He was taken to a hospital in St Petersburg by the stadium’s medical team, as ESPN’s Diego Cora reports.

According to reports from Russia, Maradona is now in a stable condition.

Maradona’s antics during the game, in particular his obscene gesture after Rojo’s winning goal, did not go down with the BBC’s punditry panel.

Gary Lineker said: “Maradona’s in danger of becoming a laughing stock, I’m afraid.” Rio Ferdinand added:

“His career as a football player on the pitch was up there with the best, but unfortunately there are moments like this that do arrive. It is not nice to see that.”

Update: The folks running Maradona’s Instagram account have posted an update on his well-being.

‘I want to tell everyone that I am fine, that I am not [sick], neither was I [admitted to hospital].

“At half-time of the game against Nigeria, my neck hurt a lot… I was checked by a doctor and he recommended me to go home before the second half, but I wanted to stay because we were risking it all. How could I leave? I send a kiss to everyone, thanks for the support!’

Castellano | Italiano | Inglés Quiero contarles que estoy bien, que no estoy ni estuve internado. En el entretiempo del partido con Nigeria me dolía mucho la nuca y sufrí una descompensación. Me revisó un médico y me recomendó que me fuera a casa antes del segundo tiempo, pero yo quise quedarme porque nos estábamos jugando todo. ¿Cómo me iba a ir? Les mando un beso a todos, perdón por el susto y gracias por el aguante, hay Diego para rato! Voglio solo dirvi che sto bene, che non sono e non sono stato ricoverato. Durante l'intervallo della partita con la Nigeria ho avuto un forte dolore alla nuca e un mancamento. Un medico mi ha visitato e mi ha consigliato di tornare a casa prima del secondo tempo, ma ho deciso di rimanere perché ci stavamo giocando il tutto per tutto. Come sarei potuto andarmene? Un bacio a tutti e grazie per il supporto… Diego ci sarà ancora per un bel po'! I want to tell everyone that I am fine, that I am not, neither was I interned. In the halftime of the game against Nigeria, my neck hurt a lot and I suffered a decompensation. I was checked by a doctor and he recommended me to go home before the second half, but I wanted to stay because we were risking it all. How could I leave? I send a kiss to everyone, thanks for the support!

A post shared by Diego Maradona Oficial (@maradona) on

Rest up Diego.