{
  "id": 301715,
  "title": "Maradona bloated, bedridden and resigned before death, says icon's masseur",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/maradona-bloated-bedridden-and-resigned-before-death-says-icons",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-08T07:28:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Buenos Aires Times",
    "slug": "buenos-aires-times",
    "url": "https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/maradona-bloated-bedridden-and-resigned-before-death-says-icons-masseur.phtml"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Diego Maradona, the legendary footballer, lay bedridden and suffering from edema in his final days, according to testimony at the trial of those accused of negligence in his death. Nicolás Taffarel, Maradona's masseur, testified that Maradona would not leave his bed, refused to eat or take care of his personal hygiene, and did not wish to engage with caregivers. Taffarel had previously alerted Maradona's medical team to increase their presence and daily visits, but claimed there was no action taken. Seven healthcare professionals are on trial for potential negligence that may have contributed to Maradona's passing on November 25, 2020, after undergoing surgery for heart failure and acute pulmonary edema. Taffarel recounted observing Maradona's bloated appearance and swollen legs, which doctors told him would subside, but they did not. The trial's defendants, who face up to 25 years in prison, deny any responsibility, citing their limited role and lack of direct connection to Maradona's clinical causes of death.",
  "summary": "Diego Maradona was bedridden, in pain and appeared resigned to his fate in his final days, says football legend's masseur at the trial into his 2020 death. Leer más",
  "key_points": [
    "Maradona bedridden and suffering from edema in final days",
    "Masseur Nicolás Taffarel reported Maradona's refusal to eat or care for hygiene",
    "Seven healthcare professionals on trial for potential negligence in Maradona's death"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}