Maradona suffered from bipolarity, exhibited narcissistic personality traits, says mental health expert

Diego Armando Maradona, the renowned Argentine football star, was revealed to have been bipolar and to have had a narcissistic personality disorder, according to his psychologist, who made the disclosure at a trial concerning the football icon's death.

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The psychologist, Carlos Diaz, testified on Thursday, presenting a clinical picture that included addiction, bipolar disorder, and personality disorder, all of which are chronic, lifelong conditions.

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Maradona's struggles with addiction to substances such as cocaine and alcohol were well-documented, but the bipolar and narcissistic personality disorder diagnoses had not been publicly disclosed prior to Thursday's testimony.

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Diaz, who is one of the defendants in the trial, appeared to be using the disclosures to demonstrate that Maradona was a challenging patient, as part of the defense team's broader argument that the football star's death was the result of natural causes.

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According to Diaz, Maradona's close associates had informed him that the football star's substance use was closely tied to his sporting achievements, and that he struggled to cope with frustration.

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Regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, Maradona passed away in November 2020, at the age of 60, while recovering at home from surgery for a brain clot.

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The cause of death was determined to be heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, a condition characterized by fluid accumulation in the lungs, which occurred two weeks after the surgery.

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Seven medical workers, including a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist, and a nurse, are facing potential prison terms ranging from eight to 25 years if convicted of homicide with possible intent, in connection with the care provided to Maradona in his final days.

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The accused medical workers deny responsibility for Maradona's death, asserting that the 1986 World Cup star succumbed to natural causes.

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Diaz recounted his first meeting with Maradona in October 2020, describing the football star as sitting in an armchair, drinking wine, which reminded him of his own father, an alcoholic who had passed away a few months earlier.

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Diaz also stated that he sensed Maradona had a genuine desire to change and was committed to doing so.

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The first trial into Maradona's death was annulled last year due to revelations that one of the judges had participated in a clandestine documentary about the case.

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A new trial, conducted by a fresh panel of judges, commenced this month, marking a new development in the case surrounding the footballer's death.