Diego Maradona was bedridden before death, masseur says

Diego Maradona was bedridden, swollen and unwilling to eat or wash in his final days, his masseur Nicolas Taffarel testified at the trial over the circumstances of the Argentine football legend's death.

Taffarel said Maradona “wouldn't get out of bed” and did not want to eat, wash or look after his personal hygiene. He also said he had alerted Maradona's medical team that they should be more present and visit every day.

“I reported the issues I observed with him, but I saw no concrete action or swift resolution,” Taffarel said. He told the court Maradona was bloated and had swollen legs, and said doctors told him the symptoms would pass.

Taffarel said that on November 24, the day before Maradona died, he tried unsuccessfully to persuade him to drink mate. He quoted Maradona as saying: “I don't want anything, Taffita, that's it.”

Maradona died alone in bed the following day at the age of 60 of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, two weeks after undergoing surgery.

Seven healthcare professionals have been on trial in Argentina since mid-April for potential negligence that may have contributed to his death. They face up to 25 years in prison and deny responsibility. Most cite their specialism and limited role, saying they had no direct link to the clinical causes of death. The trial could run beyond August.