Nurse accused in Maradona's death reveals star asked for diuretics, was ignored

During the trial for Diego Maradona's death, an accused nurse revealed that the football icon had requested a diuretic to reduce swelling shortly before his passing. Ricardo Almirón, who was hired to assist Maradona during his final two weeks of life, testified that the former player complained of swelling in his right foot on November 13, 2020, and asked for a diuretic.

Almirón stated he consulted Maradona's nephew, who, after conferring with the treating physicians, including psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, decided against administering the diuretic. The autopsy report indicated Maradona died from acute pulmonary edema complicated by chronic heart failure.

Further testimony from Maradona's masseur, Nicolás Taffarel, corroborated the presence of swelling. Taffarel mentioned that Maradona was taking diuretics previously, but they were later removed, though he did not know by whose order. When Taffarel raised concerns about Maradona's "total edema" to his primary physician, Leopoldo Luque, he was reportedly told to remain calm as the swelling would subside. Another doctor, Mario Schiter, who treated Maradona in 2000, suggested that diuretics and a proper diet could have prevented his death.