Nigeria: Psychologist: Maradona had bipolar disorder, narcissistic personality traits

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

Diego Maradona suffered from bipolar disorder and a narcissistic personality disorder, a psychologist testified Thursday during the trial over the Argentine football legend’s death.

Carlos Diaz, who treated Maradona in 2020, told the court in Buenos Aires that the star’s mental health included “three chronic, lifelong conditions: an addiction, a bipolar disorder and a personality disorder.”

Diaz is one of seven medical professionals accused of negligence in Maradona’s final days. He died in November 2020 at age 60, two weeks after brain surgery. The cause of death was heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, or fluid in the lungs.

While Maradona’s struggles with cocaine and alcohol were public knowledge, the specific psychiatric diagnoses had not been disclosed before. Diaz said the details were raised to show Maradona was a complex patient. The defense argues his death was due to natural causes, not medical neglect.

“His substance use was closely tied to his sporting achievements,” Diaz told the court, citing accounts from Maradona’s inner circle. “When there was some kind of frustration, he didn’t know how to deal with it.”

Diaz said he first met Maradona in October 2020 and recalled finding him “sitting in an armchair drinking wine.” He added: “I sensed that he had a genuine desire to change. He was committed.”

The seven defendants — including a neurosurgeon, psychiatrist, and nurses — face 8 to 25 years in prison if convicted of homicide with possible intent. They deny responsibility, stating Maradona died of natural causes.

This is the second trial related to Maradona’s death. The first was annulled in 2025 after a judge was found to have participated in an unauthorized documentary about the case. The new proceedings began earlier this month.