The judicial process for the death of Diego Armando Maradona concluded this Thursday in Argentina, after 51 hearings. One of the seven people initially accused was acquitted, while the star’s daughters starred in moments of great emotion.
The oral trial for the death of Diego Armando Maradona was heard for sentencing this Thursday in Argentina. The court will announce its decision on December 22, 2026, after a day marked by the final arguments, the last words of the accused and the testimonies of the legendary soccer player’s daughters.
The process, which began on April 14, 2026, held 51 hearings and included 75 testimonies to clarify the circumstances of the death of the Argentine star, which occurred on November 25, 2020.
One of the most notable moments of the last day was the acquittal of doctor Pedro Di Spagna, who had visited the home where Maradona was receiving medical attention on only one occasion. The president of the court, Alberto Gaig, explained that none of the accusing parties maintained the charges against the professional.
Dalma Maradona asked for justice through tears
Dalma Maradona’s words marked one of the most emotional moments of the audience. The former player’s eldest daughter intervened to remember that, beyond his status as a world soccer figure, her father was also a member of a family that deserves justice.
«I understand that many people say that you have to forget that it is Maradona. If you want to ignore that, that’s fine, but I emphasize that he is a father, a grandfather, and he deserves justice like anyone else,” he said through tears.
Dalma also referred to the pain of going through the judicial process without her father. “They have the possibility of being with their family and being here, which is something that my father no longer has,” he stated in reference to those who spoke about the difficulty of facing the cause.
Jana Maradona, another of the star’s daughters, thanked those who accompanied them during the process and expressed her respect for the accused and the professionals who participated in the trial.
«I miss you and I love you with all my heart. “Everything I do, we do together,” one of the sisters also said in a message dedicated to her father.
The nurses’ defenses presented their arguments
The day began with the arguments of the defenses of Mariano Perroni, nursing coordinator, and Ricardo Almirón, a nurse who cared for Maradona during his home confinement.
The Prosecutor’s Office had requested for both the lowest sentences among the accused: four years in prison and eight years of disqualification.
Perroni’s lawyer, Miguel Ángel Pierri, maintained that his client fulfilled the responsibilities assigned to him and questioned the accusations against him.
“There was not a single omission or non-compliance by Perroni that contributed to the death of Diego Maradona,” concluded the lawyer, who asked that the evidence presented during the debate be evaluated.
For its part, Almirón’s defense argued that the nurse had carried out the corresponding controls and requested his acquittal. The accused claimed that his life had become a nightmare since the beginning of the process and stated that he had not been able to work for six years.
Luque and Cosachov reiterated their innocence
In her last words before the court, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov lamented Maradona’s death and the suffering of his daughters and family. He also defended his professional actions and assured that he did everything in his power to help him.
Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, one of the main defendants, once again pleaded not guilty.
“I defended her every day and I reiterate it again today,” he stated in court.
The hearing also left an unexpected scene when President Gaig became emotional when he thanked the work of prosecutors, complaints, defenses, officials, employees, security personnel and journalists who participated in the process.
His reaction generated indignation in Luque, according to what happened during the day.
When will the sentence for Maradona’s death be known?
With the conclusion of the arguments and the last words of the accused, the trial was closed pending the judicial resolution.
The sentence against the six remaining defendants will be known on December 22, 2026. Until then, the court must evaluate the evidence and arguments presented during the 51 hearings to determine the corresponding criminal responsibilities.
The ruling will be a decisive moment for Maradona’s family, which has been demanding for almost six years that the circumstances of the death of one of the most important footballers in history be clarified.
