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Maradona may have long rehabilitation
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-11 09:48

Diego Maradona is expected to have a long rehabilitation at a psychiatric hospital for his lung and heart problems, his doctor said on Monday.


A shirt bearing the number of Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona is hung outside the Del Parque private clinic where Maradona has been admitted as fans (R) look on. [AFP]

The 43-year-old soccer great, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, was moved on Sunday to a suburban clinic specializing in mental health treatment for drug addictions.

Dr. Alfredo Cahe, Maradona's personal physician, said he was expected to remain hospitalized "for some time." He described his condition as stable, but refused to say what kind of treatment Maradona would receive.

For the first time, Cahe referred to Maradona's past drug problems and suggested a possible link to his recent health complications.

"My impression is that this may be the last opportunity we have" to help Maradona," he said without elaborating.

"I'm hopeful that Diego, facing this tough situation, will do whatever he needs to change," Cahe said. "So far, he hasn't done that."

Cahe said Maradona was moved at the urging of his family, which repeatedly has said drugs had nothing to do with his emergency hospitalization last month. For the last four years, Maradona has been undergoing drug rehabilitation in Cuba for cocaine addiction.

Since returning to Argentina more than 1 1/2 months ago, he has been hospitalized twice. Each time, he was placed in intensive care.

In January 2000, Maradona was hospitalized in Uruguay and diagnosed with a severe heart condition.

Maradona, who also led Argentina to the 1990 World Cup final, retired in 1997. In 2000, FIFA chose him and Pele as the greatest players in soccer history.

 
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