Maradona was 'bipolar,' had 'narcissistic' disorder, his ex-psychologist tells death trial

Diego Maradona was bipolar and had a narcissistic personality disorder, his former psychologist said Thursday at a trial over the death of the football legend.

"There is a clinical picture here: an addiction, a bipolar disorder and a personality disorder. These are three chronic, lifelong conditions," psychologist Carlos Díaz said at the trial of Maradona's medical team, accused of negligence in his final days in 2020 at age 60.

Although the star's addictions to substances like cocaine and alcohol were well known, Thursday's diagnoses had never been disclosed publicly.

Díaz is one of the defendants in this trial and his assertions on Maradona's mental health appeared aimed at showing he was a difficult patient – part of the defence's team's broader argument that the football star died of natural causes.

Díaz said Maradona's close associates had told him, "his substance use was closely tied to his sporting achievements, and when there was some kind of frustration, he didn't know how to deal with it."

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

He died of heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema – a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs – two weeks after going under the knife.

Seven medical workers, including a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist and a nurse, face prison terms of between eight and 25 years if convicted of homicide with possible intent – pursuing a course of action despite knowing it could lead to death – over the conditions of Maradona's care in his final days.

The accused deny responsibility for Maradona's death, saying the star of the 1986 World Cup succumbed to natural causes.

Díaz told the court he had met Maradona in October 2020.

"I remember that Maradona was sitting in an armchair drinking wine," he said. "It reminded me of my father, also an alcoholic, who had died a few months earlier."

"I sensed that he had a genuine desire to change, he was committed," the psychologist added.

The first trial over the footballer's death was annulled last year following revelations that one of the judges took part in a clandestine documentary about the case.

This second trial, conducted by a new panel of judges, began this month. 

– TIMES/AFP