Maradona may be moved to a private hospital

Apr 19, 2007 - 7:03 PM BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Ticker) -- Diego Maradona's personal doctor Alfredo Cahe is trying to persuade the legendary soccer star to deal with his addiction problems.

In an interview on Radio Uno, Cahe said it was possible the 46-year-old Maradona might be moved to a private hospital on Monday or Tuesday.

"Diego is becoming aware of how serious what has happened to him is," Cahe said. "We've told him everything. He has no idea of where alcohol has taken him, beyond the severe abdominal pains he suffered last week, when he was admitted to the hospital (last Friday)."

According to numerous media reports, Maradona will be transferred to the Abril clinic, which specializes in treating addictions.

"From now on, the main part of his treatment is focused on his addiction to alcohol," Cahe said.

The 46-year-old Maradona was admitted to Los Arcos hospital last Friday after being admitted for abdominal pains.

Maradona - who has a history of drug problems - had just underwent two weeks of treatment for acute hepatitis due to an over-indulgence in smoking, drinking and eating.

Maradona led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title and is one of soccer's all-time greats. In 2001, he was named by FIFA as one of the greatest players in soccer history, putting him alongside Brazilian legend Pele.

Off the pitch, Maradona has lived an extravagant lifestyle, battling cocaine addiction and obesity. The scheduled trip to Switzerland was for a series of tests to determine whether he can shift the weight gained since undergoing a stomach-stapling operation in 2005 that saw him lose 66 pounds.

In 2000, Maradona was hospitalized with a severe heart problem. Four years later, he spent several days in intensive care with heart and breathing problems.

Maradona also led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1990, then was banned for 15 months a year later after failing a drug test. He also failed a drug test during the 1994 World Cup, retiring three years later.

Maradona's signature moment came in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals against England, when he intentionally struck the ball with his hand to score the famous "Hand of God" goal, which stood even though Maradona punched the ball into the net.

That match also included what FIFA dubbed "the greatest goal in World Cup competition" in which Maradona dodged numerous opponents on his way to scoring the game-winning tally.