Diego Maradona was in critical condition on Monday, breathing with the help of a respirator but showing signs of improvement after heart and blood pressure problems.
Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title in Mexico, was put in intensive care on Sunday after watching former team Boca Juniors play. It was the second time in recent years that the 43-year-old soccer great has been hospitalised.
Dr Alfredo Cahe, Maradona’s personal physician, described his condition as ”critical”, but said late on Monday that Maradona had ”improved considerably”.
”We are a bit more relaxed now,” he said, cautioning that Maradona was still being closely monitored.
The medical team treating Maradona said his ”progress has been satisfactory” and his blood pressure was stabilising. Doctors said they expected to issue a new update on his condition on Tuesday.
Maradona appeared to be suffering from the heart-related condition known as cardiomyopathy and additional blood pressure problems, and was being assisted with a breathing tube.
Cardiomyopathy is a serious disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn’t function properly, according to the American Heart Association.
The clinic also said Maradona was suffering from a lung infection.
Cahe said the emergency hospitalisation was not drug-related, but he would not comment on what prompted Maradona to enter the hospital. The Argentine star has been undergoing drug rehabilitation for cocaine abuse in Cuba.
Dozens of Maradona fans, some carrying pictures of the soccer star, crowded outside the clinic in downtown Buenos Aires. One man held a sign that read: ”God Bless you, Maradona!”. Another said: ”Be strong, Diego!”
Some fans said they planned a round-the-clock vigil near the hospital to show support.
”I’m staying here until I found out that he’s OK,” said Ruben Quiroz (22). ”I’m really sad because he’s the best that’s ever played. I hope he comes out of this OK.”
Police officers blocked the entrance to the hospital and held back the crowd along a busy boulevard where fans put up signs reading ”Diego, today and forever!” and posted pictures of him from his playing days to the clinic’s walls.
Maradona, who rose to stardom from humble beginnings and is widely considered one of the best soccer players of all time, is revered by many in Argentina.
Newspapers ran front-page headlines on Monday. The prominent daily La Nacion read, ”Maradona hospitalised: severe cardiac crisis” and the Diario Popular said ”Diego fights for his life!”.
Maradona, who looked pale and overweight in television footage on Sunday, was joined at the hospital by his father, his former wife and two daughters. He was checked in on Sunday after watching league leader Boca Juniors beat Nueva Chicago 2-0 at La Bombonera stadium.
Maradona has had drug and medical problems in the past. He was suspended from the Italian league while playing for Napoli in 1991 for 15 months following a positive test for cocaine.
Three years later, Fifa suspended him for 15 months because of a positive test at the World Cup finals in the United States.
He eventually retired from professional soccer in 1997.
In January 2000, Maradona was hospitalised while vacationing in the Uruguayan resort city of Punta del Este. At the time, he was diagnosed with a severe heart condition and months later moved to Cuba to undergo drug rehabilitation.
He arrived in Argentina more than a week ago, saying he had returned to Buenos Aires for personal business.
Last month, Maradona broke with his longtime personal manager, accusing him of mismanaging his finances.
In his 20-year career, Maradona won Italian and Argentine league titles, and also led Argentina to the World Cup final in 1990.
But it was his performance in the 1986 World Cup championship that cemented his status as one of the game’s best. His play in the tournament included the infamous ”Hand of God” goal in a 2-1 win over England, when he scored by punching the ball.
In 2000, Fifa chose Maradona as the game’s best player to date, alongside Pele. — Sapa-AP