Diego Maradona Cause of Death, Career End, Net Worth, and Legacy

Few footballers have inspired as much devotion, controversy, and raw heartbreak as Diego Maradona. When he died on 25 November 2020 at age 60, the official cause—acute pulmonary edema secondary to congestive heart failure—only began to explain how a man who conquered the world with a football could end his life in such a painful, drawn-out final chapter.

Full name: Diego Armando Maradona ·
Born: 30 October 1960 ·
Died: 25 November 2020 ·
Position: Attacking Midfielder ·
World Cup wins: 1 (1986) ·
Argentina appearances: 91

What was the cause of the death of Maradona?

When did Diego Maradona die?

Maradona died at his home in Tigre, Buenos Aires, on 25 November 2020. The official autopsy concluded he suffered acute pulmonary edema secondary to congestive heart failure (ESPN forensic report). A forensic expert, Carlos Cassinelli, told investigators that Maradona’s heart was “completely covered in fat and blood clots” and that he endured at least 12 hours of agony before death (ESPN).

Toxicology reports revealed no alcohol or illegal substances in his system at death, though psychotropic drugs used for anxiety and depression were detected (ABC7 News case files). Just two weeks prior, on 2 November 2020, Maradona had undergone emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma after being hospitalised for anaemia, dehydration and depression (Wikipedia medical history).

What were Maradona’s last words before he died?

Accounts of his final words remain unconfirmed and vary widely. Some sources claim he said “I don’t feel well” or “It’s nothing,” but no reliable record exists. The Le Monde investigation notes that by the time paramedics arrived, Maradona was already in full cardiac arrest.

What did Pelé say when Maradona died?

Pelé, the Brazilian legend and longtime rival, posted a tribute on Instagram: “I hope to play football with him in the sky.” (Wikipedia legacy section)

What ended Maradona’s career?

What was Maradona’s final professional match?

Maradona’s last professional match came on 25 October 1997, playing for Boca Juniors against River Plate. He was substituted after 55 minutes in a game that ended 2-1. (Wikipedia career timeline)

Did doping bans end Maradona’s career?

Two major doping suspensions accelerated the end of his peak years. In 1991 he tested positive for cocaine and received a 15-month ban. Three years later, at the 1994 World Cup, he was expelled after testing positive for ephedrine. (Wikipedia doping history)

A combination of chronic injuries—especially to his ankles and knees—and substance abuse steadily reduced his playing days after the 1990 World Cup. By 1997, at age 37, he could no longer perform at the elite level. (Le Monde)

The catch: Maradona’s decline was not just physical. The same addiction and mental health struggles that shortened his career also made him vulnerable to the negligent care that may have ended his life.

Who is known as God in football?

Why is Maradona called ‘God of football’?

In Argentina, Maradona is reverently nicknamed “D10S”—a clever pun on his number 10 shirt and the Spanish word for God, “Dios.” The nickname crystallised after his 1986 World Cup performance, which included both the infamous “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” against England. (Wikipedia nickname origin)

Who else is called ‘God’ in football?

While Pelé is often described as the “King” and Lionel Messi as “The GOAT,” no other player has been so widely called “God” as Maradona. His divine status in Argentina reflects a unique cultural reverence that transcends sport. (ESPN cultural analysis)

What this means: The “God” label is more than a nickname—it explains the immense emotional fallout from his death and the fury directed at his medical team. A nation’s beloved figure died under what many consider avoidable circumstances.

What condition did Maradona have?

Did Maradona have addiction issues?

Maradona struggled with cocaine addiction for more than two decades, a problem he openly acknowledged. His first positive test came in 1991, and he was hospitalised several times for drug-related illnesses. (ABC7 News addiction timeline)

What liver problems did Maradona suffer from?

He had chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, conditions exacerbated by heavy alcohol consumption and drug use. In 2005 he underwent gastric bypass surgery to manage his weight. (Le Monde health report)

At the time of his death, Maradona’s body was described as weakened by chronic renal failure, cirrhosis, heart failure, neurological deterioration, alcoholism, and dependence on psychotropic drugs (Le Monde autopsy summary)

The trade-off: Maradona’s physical resilience kept him playing at the highest level for years, but the same lifestyle that built his legend also destroyed his organs. His final illness was the result of a lifetime of unmanaged health conditions.

How much money did Maradona have when he died?

What was Maradona’s net worth at death?

Estimates of Maradona’s net worth at death vary widely. Wikipedia reports that his estate was valued at around $500,000 in assets, with millions of euros owed in back taxes to the Italian and Argentine authorities. (Wikipedia financial section)

Did Maradona die in debt?

Yes. According to reports cited by Sky Sports, Maradona left behind significant debts, including unpaid taxes and legal fees. His estate became the subject of a protracted inheritance battle among his five children and former partners.

The pattern: Despite earning huge sums during his peak—especially at Napoli and Barcelona—Maradona’s finances were notoriously mismanaged. Addiction, legal troubles, and a large entourage drained much of his fortune. His death did not end the financial chaos; it intensified it.

Voices on Maradona’s death

I hope to play football with him in the sky.

— Pelé, in a social media tribute after Maradona’s death (Wikipedia)

I don’t feel well.

— Reportedly Maradona’s last words, though unconfirmed (Le Monde)

The care provided to Maradona was inappropriate, deficient, and reckless.

— Argentine prosecution, quoted by Le Monde

Three days of national mourning.

— Argentine President Alberto Fernández, declaring a state of mourning (Wikipedia)

Diego Maradona’s life and death encapsulate the extremes of footballing genius and human frailty. For Argentina, the final chapter is not merely a tragedy—it is a warning. The ongoing trial against his caregivers asks whether a system that idolised him also abandoned him. For the country that loves him most, the implication is clear: legacy demands accountability, or the myth will forever overshadow the man who suffered.

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