Batistuta: “Maradona died like a dog, I hope it doesn’t happen to Messi.”

Former Argentine icon Gabriel Batistuta delivered a poignant testimony about the end of Diego Maradona’s life, regretting the conditions in which the world football icon faded away. Invited to Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, the former Albiceleste striker did not mince his words, evoking a deep sense of sadness and guilt. According to him, Maradona’s entourage did not know how to protect him, especially from a young age. « His problem is that he was already famous at six years old. His family was not rich and saw in him a way out», he explained. « No one told him no when he was young. Everything seemed permissible. It was a mistake. »

Very moved, Batistuta then described the end of his former teammate’s life with great bluntness: « It’s really a pity, because he was a wonderful person. He died alone, without anyone by his side. He died like a dog. We didn’t do much for him… and I blame myself too. » The former striker finally expressed his concern for Lionel Messi: « I hope that won’t happen to him. When you are at the top, you don’t see the problems. You think they’re fine. » Diego Maradona died in November 2020, victim of a heart attack at his home, leaving behind an indelible mark in the history of football.