Argentina legend Diego Maradona said he was “fine” after being seen by a doctor during the team’s World Cup victory over Nigeria on Tuesday.
The 57-year-old, who captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, said his “neck hurt a lot”. Maradona posted a picture on social media showing medical staff with him at half-time of the 2-1 victory, but denied he had been taken to hospital.
“I want to tell everyone that I am fine,” his Instagram post read. I was checked by a doctor and he recommended me to go home before the second half, but I wanted to stay because we were risking it all. How could I leave?”
Argentina’s victory meant they reached the last 16, where they will face France on Saturday. Video posted online appeared to show Maradona struggling to get up from his seat at full-time. Earlier, he was in tears when the score was 1-1, which would have resulted in Argentina’s elimination. Then, after Marcos Rojo scored the team’s late winner, he was seen giving one-fingered gestures. Maradona played 91 times for Argentina, scoring 34 goals, and later managed the national side.
