On April 16, 2026, neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque took the stand in the second trial concerning the death of Diego Maradona, presenting a photograph he claimed showed the football legend five days before his passing. Luque stated the image was intended to demonstrate that Maradona was not visibly swollen at that time, countering medical assessments related to his condition.
The testimony occurred before Tribunal Oral en lo Criminal (TOC) N°7 of San Isidro, where Luque is one of seven individuals accused in connection with Maradona’s death on November 25, 2020. During his declaration, Luque emphasized his innocence and expressed sorrow over Maradona’s passing, stating, “Soy inocente, lamento mucho su muerte.”
Luque explained that he brought the photograph to challenge perceptions about Maradona’s physical state in the days leading up to his death. He asserted that the image supported his argument that there was no significant edema or swelling apparent five days prior to November 25, 2020, which he linked to broader disagreements with official autopsy findings.
The neurosurgeon referenced medical literature during his testimony, including papers from the European Society of Cardiology, to support his analysis of Maradona’s cause of death. Luque maintained that the official diagnosis of chronic cardiac insufficiency with dilated cardiomyopathy, exacerbated by lack of treatment, did not align with his clinical observations or the photographic evidence he presented.
Luque also addressed his role in Maradona’s home hospitalization, reiterating that he was not in charge of the medical team overseeing the football star’s final days. “Yo no estaba a cargo,” he stated, distancing himself from direct responsibility for the domiciliary care arrangement.
The presentation of the photograph came after Luque requested to expand his testimony, a move that disrupted the scheduled proceedings. Judge Alberto Gaig had initially questioned whether Luque wished to declare, to which he responded affirmatively before being invited to speak freely by the tribunal president.
His testimony lasted approximately thirty minutes, delivered in a measured tone as he referenced documents and defended his medical judgment. Luque denied claims that Maradona had endured a twelve-hour agony before death, a point he contested using the photographic evidence and cited studies.
The court proceedings were significantly altered by Luque’s unexpected declaration, which led to the suspension of other scheduled testimonies, including that of Gianinna Maradona, Diego’s daughter, who had been set to appear later in the day.
Luque’s appearance marked the first time one of the seven accused had chosen to testify in this phase of the trial. His decision to speak came after prior hearings where defense teams had requested witness lists in advance, prompting procedural debates with prosecutors about the order of testimony.
The neurologist framed his defense around a commitment to factual medical literature rather than personal opinion, stating at the outset of his remarks, “No vengo a decir lo que me parece, vengo a decir lo que está escrito,” underscoring his reliance on published clinical sources.
As the trial continues, the photographic evidence introduced by Luque remains a focal point of debate regarding Maradona’s physical condition in the final days before his death, with opposing interpretations expected from prosecution experts and other medical witnesses.
The next scheduled development in the case involves further testimony from medical and legal experts tasked with evaluating the evidence presented, including the validity and context of the photograph Luque submitted to the court.
For ongoing updates on this significant legal proceeding concerning one of football’s most iconic figures, readers are encouraged to follow verified judicial sources and official court communications from San Isidro.
