Maradona gets carried away by victory
Football legend Maradona required medical assistance after wildly celebrating Argentina’s dramatic late victory against Nigeria – a result which keeps their World Cup dream alive.
The 57-year-old, who famously scored from a hand ball in the 1986 Fifa World Cup quarterfinal, became a sideshow to what was one of the most fascinating games of Russia 2018 so far as the TV cameras regularly panned to Maradona in an attempt to capture his hilarious reactions.
But the occasion got the better of him, with Maradona treated by paramedics after collapsing inside a corporate box after fulltime.
Reports from the stadium of Maradona going to hospital were made among the excitement of the victory. Argentine newspaper La Nacion reported he was checked for low blood pressure but was later able to leave the area walking under his own power.
About two hours after the match he was photographed smiling at an airport. Another photo posted on Twitter showed him sitting on a plane.
During the game, Maradona was spotted standing on his chair seemingly praying to the gods as Lionel Messi slotted the opening goal. But the mood quickly changed and he appeared to have fallen asleep at halftime.
But he was soon back up on his feet when Marcos Rojo laced an 86th minute winner, with Maradona leaning over the railing and pulling the fingers towards the pitch.
Although many people on social media had a chuckle at his antics, former England international and current television pundit Gary Lineker did not see the funny side.
‘‘There’s Diego Maradona celebrating,’’ said Lineker during the
BBC’s World Cup coverage.
‘‘I think he might make the papers for a different kind of celebration. There’s a danger he’s becoming a laughing stock, I’m afraid.’’