Could Maradona's death have been prevented? A new trial opens in Argentina

The new trial concerning the death of Diego Maradona opened Tuesday in San Isidro, a suburb of Buenos Aires. This new procedure restarts the examination of the potential responsibilities of the medical team that surrounded the former Argentine football star at the time of his death, which occurred on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60.

Seven healthcare workers on trial, an eighth defendant separately

In total, seven healthcare professionals are appearing in this trial, including neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, a psychologist, doctors, and nurses. An eighth defendant, a nurse, is to be tried separately in another proceeding. All deny the charges against them.

At the heart of the case is an accusation of fatal negligence.

The prosecution argues that Maradona's medical care following surgery for a cerebral hematoma was seriously inadequate. Prosecutors believe the former Argentina captain did not receive proper follow-up care during his convalescence at home, and that several signs of deterioration were ignored. The defendants are being prosecuted for a form of negligent homicide, which carries a sentence of 8 to 25 years in prison if convicted.

The prosecution describes an avoidable end of life.

At the start of the trial, the prosecution argued that Maradona's death was not inevitable. Prosecutors relied in particular on the findings of a medical commission convened in 2021, which deemed the care provided inadequate and reckless, even concluding that the former star had been left for extended periods without sufficient assistance.

The defense argues that Maradona's health is already very poor.

On the other side, the defendants' lawyers maintain that no crime was committed. Their defense strategy focuses on the extremely fragile state of Maradona's health, which they claim was undermined by serious chronic illnesses as well as a history of alcohol and drug addiction. According to them, his death stemmed primarily from a highly complex medical situation, and not from negligent neglect.

A trial relaunched after an initial judicial fiasco

This hearing actually marks a complete resumption of the case. A first trial had indeed begun in March 2025, but it was canceled following a judicial scandal involving a magistrate, who was forced to withdraw after her controversial participation in a documentary about the case. This setback caused another major delay in a case that was already extremely sensitive in Argentina.

Around a hundred witnesses are expected.

The trial is expected to last several weeks, with hearings scheduled twice a week and nearly 100 witnesses expected to testify, including relatives of Maradona and several members of his medical team. According to the Associated Press, a verdict could be reached in early June 2026, depending on the pace of the hearings.

In Argentina, this case goes far beyond the legal sphere. Maradona remains an almost sacred figure, the 1986 World Cup champion and an absolute popular symbol. The question haunting this trial is simple and explosive: Could Diego Maradona have been saved? It is this question that the Argentine justice system must now try to answer, in a case where national emotion, medical responsibility, and the memory of a legend are intertwined.