Lucy Williamson

Marcelo, he was widely admired, of course, but you've already referenced some of the drug abuse that was taking place when he was in Spain. There was quite a lot of controversy around that throughout the later years of his career.

Marcelo, he was widely admired, of course, but you've already referenced some of the drug abuse that was taking place when he was in Spain. There was quite a lot of controversy around that throughout the later years of his career.

It's well documented, his drug abuse, but he was actually banned for 15 months for failed drug tests on two occasions. Once for recreational cocaine in 1991 and then quite famously performance enhancing drugs were found in his system at the World Cup in 1994. I think many of us can bring to mind pictures of him where he is clearly struggling with both his weight and with addiction.

It's well documented, his drug abuse, but he was actually banned for 15 months for failed drug tests on two occasions. Once for recreational cocaine in 1991 and then quite famously performance enhancing drugs were found in his system at the World Cup in 1994. I think many of us can bring to mind pictures of him where he is clearly struggling with both his weight and with addiction.

In 2000 he was in intensive care in a coma after an overdose from cocaine. In 2004 he reportedly had two heart attacks in just one month. And then in 2020, he'd had the surgery, he was at home, and then he died due to a cardiac arrest. It was such a surreal time right around the world because it was at the height of COVID. And you were there in Argentina at the time. What was it like?

In 2000 he was in intensive care in a coma after an overdose from cocaine. In 2004 he reportedly had two heart attacks in just one month. And then in 2020, he'd had the surgery, he was at home, and then he died due to a cardiac arrest. It was such a surreal time right around the world because it was at the height of COVID. And you were there in Argentina at the time. What was it like?

So we've looked at the complications of Maradona's stratospheric fame and the national outpouring of grief prompted by his death. Next, why questions are being asked about how he died.

So we've looked at the complications of Maradona's stratospheric fame and the national outpouring of grief prompted by his death. Next, why questions are being asked about how he died.

This is The Global Story. We bring you one big international story in detail five days a week. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen. With me is Marcela Mora y Araujo. Ever since he's passed away, Maradona, there has been this scrutiny, Marcela, over his death. And now we have this long, delayed trial. What is actually being alleged?

This is The Global Story. We bring you one big international story in detail five days a week. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen. With me is Marcela Mora y Araujo. Ever since he's passed away, Maradona, there has been this scrutiny, Marcela, over his death. And now we have this long, delayed trial. What is actually being alleged?

Can I ask you about the motivation of his children? What do they want to get out of this trial? And is there any money at stake? Because it's always been very unclear what they were left and what his financial legacy was.

Can I ask you about the motivation of his children? What do they want to get out of this trial? And is there any money at stake? Because it's always been very unclear what they were left and what his financial legacy was.

Is there a lot of media attention and just interest in the trial in Argentina?

Is there a lot of media attention and just interest in the trial in Argentina?

What about this viral moment that we've seen already? That's a remarkable moment where we saw this photo that was taken only hours before he died.

What about this viral moment that we've seen already? That's a remarkable moment where we saw this photo that was taken only hours before he died.

And Marcella, all this emotion around the trial and there are even demonstrators outside the courthouse.

And Marcella, all this emotion around the trial and there are even demonstrators outside the courthouse.

And do you think this emotion is partly caused and the concern that people have about how he died by the fact that it's just been a really hard couple of years for people in Argentina? the cost of living crisis, spiralling inflation, all these austerity measures as well, that his story and what happened to him also ties in to how people feel about society at the moment as well.

And do you think this emotion is partly caused and the concern that people have about how he died by the fact that it's just been a really hard couple of years for people in Argentina? the cost of living crisis, spiralling inflation, all these austerity measures as well, that his story and what happened to him also ties in to how people feel about society at the moment as well.