Maradona fights for his life

ARGENTINE football legend Diego Maradona was fighting for his life yesterday after suffering acute heart failure.

Dozens of his fans held a vigil in front of The Swiss-Argentine clinic, praying for their fallen star.

The hospital said the 43-year-old former captain of the Argentine national team was unable to breathe by himself.

His doctor, Alfredo Cahe, said Maradona’s reaction over the next 24-48 hours would be crucial.

There was speculation that Maradona had taken a drug overdose.

Considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, Maradona has been battling drug addiction for years. He was suspended while playing in the Italian championship in the 1990s after testing positive for cocaine.

The Buenos Aires clinic said Maradona was admitted after suffering “congestive heart failure” caused by high blood pressure.

It said Maradona “is receiving medication to strengthen the heart; and as he developed acute respiratory failure he was put on a ventilator and therefore is heavily sedated. The reaction to the medication has been favourable, and he is stabilised.” But the statement said doctors gave only a “reserved” assessment of his condition.

The TN report quoted members of Maradona’s “intimate circle” as saying the former footballer was rushed to hospital following an overdose.

Maradona’s father, Diego, his ex-wife, Claudia Villafane, and their two children, Dalma and Gianina, were at the hospital.

Maradona’s excess weight on his recent return to Argentina from Cuba had prompted concern.

He had earlier watched his former club Boca Juniors play but left during the second half and was later admitted to the clinic.