Following mini health scare, Maradona back to blowing kisses
ST. PETERSBURG — Diego Maradona roared and gesticulated through every anguished second of Argentina’s roller coaster World Cup victory over Nigeria on Tuesday before triggering alarm with a health scare after the final whistle.
Lionel Messi may have dominated the on-field action in St. Petersburg but, from his VIP box in the stands, Maradona reigned supreme as the undisputed center of attention.
The 57-year-old soccer legend started the evening dancing playfully with a female Nigeria fan, and saluting and waving to well-wishers applauding him in the moments before kickoff.
Throughout Argentina’s nerve-shredding 2-1 victory, which secured the South American giant’s passage into the last 16, the host broadcaster’s television feed regularly cut to images of Maradona as the tension mounted.
When Messi gave Argentina an early lead, Maradona screamed his delight, crossing his hands over his chest and gazing to the heavens.
The 1986 World Cup winner looked increasingly frazzled as the game wore on, at one stage slumped forward in his seat just before halftime.
After Nigeria made it 1-1 from the penalty spot after the break — a scoreline that would have sent Argentina crashing out of the tournament — Maradona grew increasingly distraught.
By the 80th minute he sat with his hands covering his face, unable to watch as the seconds ticked towards a calamity for Argentina.
But when Marcos Rojo swept in a sumptuous volley with four minutes remaining, Maradona exploded with emotion, shouting an obscenity before raising the middle finger of each hand in the direction of the pitch.
The jubilation turned to alarm soon after the final whistle when a video emerged of Maradona walking with difficulty and being guided into the dining room of the VIP section by two friends.
Other photographs showed two uniformed paramedics attending to him, with one appearing to take his pulse.
Maradona has had a series of health problems, including cocaine addiction.
In 2007 he reportedly came close to death after being admitted to a hospital in Buenos Aires to be treated for hepatitis and substance abuse issues.
As images of him being treated by paramedics went viral, some commentators expressed concern about his health.
“The guy had serious heart issues years ago, yet FIFA and sponsors keep indulging him, as he does himself,” former EPL player-turned-commentator Stan Collymore wrote on Twitter.
Argentina media reported that Maradona had experienced a spike in his blood pressure, but by Wednesday morning he was back posting on social media.
“I want to tell everyone that I am fine, that I am not, neither was I, interned,” Maradona said in an Instagram post, responding to a media report that he had been taken to hospital.
“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 blow a kiss to everyone, thanks for the support!”