Football legend Maradona undergoes brain surgery for blood clot

Nov. 4: Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has undergone surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. The operation was conducted a day after the football legend had been admitted to a hospital suffering from anemia — a lack of iron in his system — and dehydration. A series of tests was conducted and a scan revealed the blood clot.

During his prime the now 60-year-old Maradona was regarded as one of the greatest football players ever to play the game, and in 1986 he led Argentina to a World Cup title. He has suffered ill health before. He has survived two heart attacks, and also contracted hepatitis and undergone gastric bypass surgery. Groups of fans congregated outside the clinic with banners showing Maradona’s face and the words “Come on, Diego!”

Maradona’s personal physician, Leopoldo Luque, described the procedure at the Olivos clinic on the northern outskirts of Buenos Aires as “routine surgery”. The operation consists of a small incision to drain the blood. In 24 or 48 hours the patient can leave the hospital.