Diego Maradona had to receive medical attention during Argentina’s World Cup victory against Nigeria in St Petersburg.
The 1986 World Cup winner had been the centre of attention during the match as he watched Argentina’s advance to the last 16 in Russia, with television cameras showing his exuberant celebrations as Marcos Rojo scored the winning goal four minutes from time. He greeted it with middle-finger gestures with both hands but was later shown being helped from his seat in his box at the St Petersburg Stadium.
The Argentinian newspaper Clarín showed pictures of Maradona being attended to by medical staff. Another Argentinian newspaper, La Nación, reported that Maradona was able to walk normally and leave the stadium minutes later.
Diego Maradona after the final whistle! pic.twitter.com/uaPZAcaDlH
— golazolive (@golaz0live) June 26, 2018
The former international afterwards said he was not taken to hospital but confirmed he suffered neck pain during the break at the match in St Petersburg.
He said: “I want to tell everyone that I am fine, that I am not, neither was I interned.
“At half-time of the game against Nigeria, my neck hurt a lot ... 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? I send a kiss to everyone, thanks for the support!”