Diego Maradona: Death, Last Words, and Messi Relationship

Diego Maradona’s death on November 25, 2020, at age 60, sent shockwaves through the football world, sparking questions about his final days, his complicated relationship with Lionel Messi, and the end of his own legendary career. Here’s what we know, and what remains unclear.

Born: October 30, 1960 ·
Died: November 25, 2020 ·
Full name: Diego Armando Maradona ·
Cause of death: Acute pulmonary edema secondary to chronic heart failure ·
World Cup wins: 1986 with Argentina ·
National team caps: 91 for Argentina

Six key facts about Maradona’s life and death tell a story of genius and fragility.

What happened to Diego Maradona?

Maradona died at his home in Tigre, Buenos Aires, on November 25, 2020. A preliminary autopsy concluded he died from acute pulmonary edema secondary to congestive heart failure (BBC Sport (UK broadcaster)). Toxicology reports found no alcohol or narcotic drugs in his system at the time of death (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

Cause of death

• Acute pulmonary edema secondary to chronic heart failure (BBC Sport)
• No alcohol or illegal drugs detected (ESPN)

Circumstances of his passing

• He had brain surgery on November 3, 2020 for a subdural hematoma (ESPN)
• He was receiving treatment for alcohol dependency around the time of surgery (BBC Sport)
• A medical board later described his post-discharge care as “inadequate, deficient, and reckless” (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))

What ended Maradona’s career?

Maradona’s playing career effectively ended with a drug suspension at the 1994 World Cup. He tested positive for ephedrine and was sent home from the tournament (Wikipedia). That, combined with a previous cocaine ban in 1991, ended his international career.

Drug suspension

• First positive test for cocaine in 1991 led to a 15-month ban (Wikipedia)
• 1994 World Cup: positive test for ephedrine, sent home (Wikipedia)

Physical decline

• Drug use and injuries took a toll on his fitness (Britannica (encyclopedia))
• His last professional match was in 1997 for Boca Juniors (Wikipedia)

Final professional match

• October 25, 1997: Boca Juniors vs. River Plate (Wikipedia)

Who is Diego Maradona to Messi?

Lionel Messi has called Maradona his hero and idol. Their relationship was both personal and professional: Maradona coached Messi on the Argentine national team from 2008 to 2010 (Yahoo Sports (sports news)).

Mentor relationship

• Maradona was head coach of Argentina during the 2010 World Cup, with Messi as captain (Wikipedia)
• Messi has said Maradona was “a special person” who helped him grow (FIFA (world football governing body))

National team connection

• Both are considered the greatest Argentine footballers ever (Britannica)
• Messi’s 2022 World Cup win was widely seen as finally stepping out of Maradona’s shadow

Public admiration

• Messi wrote after Maradona’s death: “He’s eternal” (FIFA)
• In Spanish, he added: “Hasta el fin del mundo te voy a extrañar” (Wikipedia (Spanish))

Did Messi attend Maradona’s funeral?

Messi did not attend the funeral in Buenos Aires. He was in Spain at the time, playing for FC Barcelona, and travel restrictions and the pandemic made attendance impossible (BBC Sport).

Funeral details

• Maradona’s body lay in state at the Casa Rosada, where thousands paid respects (BBC Sport)
• The funeral was a national event in Argentina

Messi’s tribute

• Messi posted a photo of them together on Instagram with the caption “Eternal” (FIFA)
• He also expressed condolences to Maradona’s family (FIFA)

What were Diego Maradona’s last words?

Reports indicate Maradona’s last words were “I don’t feel well,” spoken to his nephew Johnny before his death (BBC Sport). However, the exact phrasing is disputed by different sources, and no official recording exists.

Reported final phrase

• “I don’t feel well” — reported by family members (BBC Sport)

Unconfirmed accounts

• Some sources claim he said “I feel sick” or similar variations (Wikipedia)
• No official medical or legal record of his final words exists

When did Diego Maradona die and what is his full name?

Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1960 in Lanús, Argentina, and died on November 25, 2020 in Tigre, Buenos Aires (Britannica).

Date of death

• November 25, 2020 (BBC Sport)

Full name

• Diego Armando Maradona (Britannica)

Place of birth

• Lanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina (Britannica)

Timeline of key events

Twelve milestones trace Maradona’s life from his debut to his death.

• October 30, 1960 — Born in Lanús, Argentina
• 1976 — Professional debut at age 15 for Argentinos Juniors
• 1982 — Transferred to Barcelona
• 1984 — Joined Napoli; led club to first Serie A title
• 1986 — Won FIFA World Cup with Argentina; scored “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century”
• 1990 — Led Argentina to World Cup final (lost to West Germany)
• 1991 — First positive drug test for cocaine; 15-month ban
• 1994 — Sent home from World Cup after positive ephedrine test
• 1997 — Retired from professional football
• 2008-2010 — Coached the Argentine national team, including Lionel Messi
• November 3, 2020 — Hospitalized for subdural hematoma; discharged after surgery
• November 25, 2020 — Died at age 60 in Tigre, Argentina

Clarity check: what’s confirmed and what’s still unknown

Separating the solid facts from the lingering questions helps cut through the noise.

Confirmed facts

• Maradona died of a heart attack / acute pulmonary edema on November 25, 2020 (BBC Sport)
• He had a history of drug and alcohol abuse and underwent brain surgery in early November 2020 (ESPN)
• Messi did not attend the funeral but posted a tribute (FIFA)
• Maradona’s last professional match was in 1997 (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

• The exact wording of his last words — “I don’t feel well” is reported but not verified (BBC Sport)
• The precise timeline of his final hours remains partially in dispute among family and media (Wikipedia)

Quotes: voices from the aftermath

“He’s eternal.”

— Lionel Messi, in a social media tribute after Maradona’s death (FIFA)

“Messi was one of the figures who hailed Maradona after his death.”

— FIFA official tribute (FIFA)

“The medical board described his post-discharge care as inadequate, deficient, and reckless.”

— Medical board findings, cited in Wikipedia

For Messi and the current generation of Argentine players, Maradona’s legacy remains a heavy mantle — one that carries the weight of a nation’s expectations and the memory of a flawed genius. For the football world, the lesson is that even the brightest stars can burn out too quickly, and the systems around them often fail when it matters most.

For a comprehensive look at his life, including his career statistics and the infamous Hand of God goal, you can read his full biography and career stats.

Frequently asked questions