Maradona's Final Days and No.10 Shirt Legacy

Diego Maradona was bedridden, bloated, and appeared resigned in his final days, according to testimony in the ongoing trial into the circumstances of his 2020 death. His personal masseur, Nicolas Taffarel, gave emotional testimony on August 7, 2026, describing the football icon's deteriorating condition and his own futile attempts to alert the medical team.

What did Maradona's masseur say about his final days?

Nicolas Taffarel testified that in the days leading up to November 25, 2020, Maradona refused to get out of bed, eat, or attend to his personal hygiene. The 1986 World Cup winner was suffering from excess body fluid, with swollen legs and a bloated appearance. Taffarel claimed he reported these alarming symptoms to the medical team but saw no concrete action taken. He told the court he had urged the doctors to visit "every day." Seven healthcare professionals have been on trial in Argentina since mid-April 2026, accused of potential negligence that may have contributed to Maradona's death.

Why can't Argentina retire the No.10 shirt for Messi or Maradona?

The current debate about retiring Lionel Messi's iconic No.10 shirt for Argentina has a direct precedent set by Diego Maradona. On September 25, 2001, the Argentine Football Association voted unanimously to retire the number in Maradona's honour. Then-president Julio Grondona led the initiative, planning to implement it before the 2002 World Cup. However, FIFA rules governing squad numbers for its tournaments blocked the move. The global governing body rejected Argentina's request, forcing the number to remain in use. Ariel "El Burrito" Ortega ended up wearing the No.10 at the 2002 World Cup. The same FIFA regulation now prevents Argentina from officially retiring the shirt for Messi, linking the legacies of the nation's two greatest players through a shared bureaucratic reality.

• KEY TAKEAWAYS: The negligence trial for Diego Maradona's 2020 death began in mid-April 2026. Maradona's No.10 shirt was almost retired by Argentina in 2001. FIFA's tournament rules prevent national teams from officially retiring squad numbers.

These developments keep Maradona's complex legacy in the spotlight, from the painful details of his final days to the enduring symbolic power of his shirt number. The trial continues as Argentina grapples with the permanent shadow cast by its fallen idol.