Argentina icon Maradona to undergo emergency brain surgery

Diego Maradona is set to undergo an emergency procedure to treat a blood clot in his brain, his personal doctor told reporters Tuesday, according to ESPN.

Dr. Leopoldo Luque – who will perform the surgery – said an MRI revealed the subdural hematoma after Maradona was admitted to the hospital Monday due to anemia, dehydration, and depression.

“We did an MRI one month ago and everything was normal,” Luque said. “We repeated the study and we saw the subdural hematoma. These types of injuries are tough to spot, I don’t know if he suffered some kind of hit or fall.

“This is a routine surgery that even (Argentina’s) vice president (Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner) has undergone. The panorama has not changed, (Maradona) continues to have the same clinical diagnosis but now we have a more concrete diagnosis.

“He is alert, he understands and he is in agreement about the surgery. He is not upset.”

Maradona currently manages Argentine side Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata. He attended the club’s 3-0 win over Patronato on Friday but left before the match started.

The former Napoli and Barcelona star, who played a pivotal role in helping Argentina win the 1986 World Cup, also celebrated his 60th birthday Friday.

Maradona’s health has been a topic of interest throughout his life. He’s dealt with drug and alcohol addiction and has also undergone two gastric bypass surgeries to address his weight issues.