Diego Maradona Death Trial Nears Verdict as Doctor's Defense Calls Him a Scapegoat

The long-running trial to determine responsibility for the death of football icon Diego Maradona is entering its decisive final week. Closing arguments began on October 19, 2026, with prosecutors seeking prison sentences of up to 14 years for seven medical professionals accused of negligence leading to the star's death in November 2020.

Defense lawyers for neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, a key figure in Maradona's care, delivered their closing arguments on October 21. They forcefully rejected the prosecution's case, calling their client a "scapegoat" for a tragedy they argue was not foreseeable. Attorney Roberto Rallin stated they were there to proclaim Luque's innocence with evidence, not television slogans. Another defense lawyer, Francisco Oneto, insisted Maradona's death resulted from an "acute and unpredictable" heart attack, a fatal outcome he claimed no one could have predicted.

Prosecutors see it very differently. They have requested a 12-year prison sentence for Luque, alleging "inaction" and failures in the footballer's post-operative care. The 60-year-old Maradona died from a cardiorespiratory crisis and pulmonary edema while recovering from brain surgery at a rented residence in Tigre, Argentina. His passing plunged the nation into mourning during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The final week of hearings, which began on October 19, is seeing closing arguments for all seven defendants. Lawyers for psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and psychologist Carlos Díaz presented their cases first. The requests for their sentences vary widely. For Cosachov, prosecutors and plaintiffs asked for 8 to 14 years for eventual homicide and falsifying a medical certificate. For Díaz, sentence requests range from 5 years for negligent homicide to 12 years for simple homicide, with two plaintiffs even requesting his acquittal.

These differing positions have caused tension within Maradona's own family. The requests for acquittal reportedly sparked anger and public disputes between two of his daughters and one of their sisters last week.

While the trial focuses on the circumstances of his death, Maradona's legendary status continues to be the benchmark for Argentine greatness. Recent stories still draw comparisons between modern stars and the iconic number 10, a sign of his enduring shadow over the sport. His name remains synonymous with genius, controversy, and national pride, a complex legacy that the ongoing trial only shows.

• KEY TAKEAWAYS: The trial for Diego Maradona's death is in its final week of closing arguments. Prosecutors seek up to 14-year sentences for seven medical workers. The defense for Dr. Leopoldo Luque argues he is a "scapegoat" for an unpredictable event. The case has caused rifts within Maradona's family.