« The Defrauded Heirs »: Inside the New Maradona Trial Targeting His Sisters and Former Lawyer

BUENOS AIRES — On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, an Argentine court ordered six individuals to stand trial for allegedly defrauding the late Diego Maradona’s legitimate heirs by mismanaging the football legend’s brand and assets. Among the accused are two of Maradona’s sisters—Claudia and Rita Maradona—and his former lawyer, Matias Morla, in a case that has reignited family tensions three and a half years after the icon’s death.

The Allegations: A Premeditated Scheme

A Buenos Aires tribunal, in a ruling obtained by Agence France-Presse (AFP), accused the defendants of “damaging the interests of the legitimate heirs”—Maradona’s children—through “a premeditated agreement with a division of roles and functions” within a company the footballer established five years before his death. The court’s decision frames the case as a coordinated effort to exploit Maradona’s intellectual property, including his name, image, and associated commercial rights, which prosecutors argue should have passed to his heirs upon his death in November 2020.

The indictment specifically targets:

• Matias Morla, Maradona’s former attorney
• Claudia Maradona, 54, and Rita Maradona, 72, two of the footballer’s sisters
• Two unnamed former assistants
• A notary public

According to the court documents, the accused allegedly diverted assets from a company Maradona created to manage his brand, depriving his children of their rightful inheritance. The case was initiated in 2021 when Maradona’s two eldest daughters, Dalma and Giannina, filed a complaint accusing Morla and the others of “appropriating” their father’s brand and its lucrative international contracts. Three of Maradona’s other children later joined the lawsuit.

A Second Maradona Trial: Parallel Legal Battles

This new trial unfolds alongside an ongoing criminal case in San Isidro, a suburb north of Buenos Aires, where seven healthcare professionals—including Maradona’s personal physician, psychiatrist, and nurses—are being tried for alleged fatal negligence in the final weeks of the footballer’s life. Maradona died at age 60 on November 25, 2020, while recovering from brain surgery at a private residence. The medical trial, which began two weeks ago, centers on accusations that the defendants failed to provide adequate care during his post-operative convalescence.

The “Maradona brand” case, however, is entirely separate, focusing on financial exploitation rather than medical malpractice. The court’s decision to proceed with the trial underscores the complexity of Maradona’s estate, which has been mired in legal disputes since his death. His brand, built on his status as a World Cup-winning icon and one of football’s most marketable figures, remains a valuable asset, with ongoing licensing deals and merchandise sales generating significant revenue.

Asset Seizures and Financial Stakes

In December 2025, an Argentine appeals court upheld a lower court’s decision to seize assets belonging to the accused, including Morla, Claudia and Rita Maradona, and three other individuals. The total value of the seized assets was estimated at 2 billion Argentine pesos—approximately $1.16 million USD—according to court documents reviewed by AFP. The court deemed the amount “proportionate” to the alleged financial harm inflicted on Maradona’s heirs.

The seizure order, initially issued in September 2025, was confirmed as part of the broader effort to recover funds allegedly misappropriated through the management of Maradona’s brand. The case has drawn attention to the challenges of protecting posthumous intellectual property, particularly for global icons whose likenesses remain commercially viable long after their deaths.

Family Divisions and Legal Strategy

The trial has laid bare the fractures within Maradona’s family, which has been divided over his estate since his passing. Dalma and Giannina Maradona, who have been vocal in their pursuit of justice for their father’s legacy, have accused their aunts and Morla of exploiting their father’s name for personal gain. The involvement of three of Maradona’s other children in the lawsuit suggests a united front among his heirs, though the broader family dynamic remains strained.

Morla, who served as Maradona’s lawyer for years, has previously denied any wrongdoing. In past statements, he has argued that his actions were in line with Maradona’s wishes and that the accusations stem from misunderstandings about the management of the footballer’s business affairs. Claudia and Rita Maradona have not publicly addressed the allegations, but their legal teams are expected to mount a vigorous defense in the upcoming trial.

What’s Next: A Trial Timeline

The court’s decision to send the case to trial marks a significant escalation, but the proceedings are unlikely to commence immediately. Legal experts anticipate a lengthy process, given the complexity of the financial transactions involved and the high-profile nature of the defendants. The trial will likely involve testimony from Maradona’s children, financial auditors, and experts in intellectual property law, as well as a detailed examination of the company’s records and the accused’s roles in its management.

For Maradona’s heirs, the trial represents a critical opportunity to reclaim control of their father’s legacy. For the accused, We see a chance to clear their names and challenge the allegations of fraud. Regardless of the outcome, the case is poised to further complicate the already fraught legal landscape surrounding Maradona’s estate.

Why This Trial Matters

The “Maradona brand” trial is more than a family dispute—it is a cautionary tale about the challenges of managing posthumous intellectual property. Maradona’s name and image remain a global commodity, with licensing deals spanning sportswear, memorabilia, and even video games. The case highlights the vulnerabilities of such assets, particularly when family members, business partners, and legal representatives clash over their control.

For Argentina, the trial is another chapter in the nation’s ongoing reckoning with Maradona’s legacy. The footballer, who led the national team to World Cup glory in 1986, remains a cultural icon, and his death has been followed by a series of legal battles that have kept his name in the headlines. The medical trial in San Isidro has already captivated the public, and the brand trial is likely to do the same, offering a rare glimpse into the financial and personal conflicts that have defined Maradona’s postmortem legacy.

Key Takeaways

• Six individuals, including two of Maradona’s sisters and his former lawyer, will stand trial for allegedly defrauding his heirs by mismanaging his brand and assets.
• The case centers on accusations of a “premeditated agreement” to exploit Maradona’s intellectual property, which prosecutors say should have passed to his children.
• A separate trial in San Isidro is ongoing, focusing on the medical negligence that allegedly contributed to Maradona’s death in 2020.
• An Argentine appeals court upheld a $1.16 million asset seizure against the accused in December 2025, signaling the financial stakes of the case.
• The trial is expected to be lengthy, with testimony from Maradona’s children, financial experts, and legal representatives.

As the legal battles continue, one thing is clear: Diego Maradona’s legacy remains as contested in death as it was celebrated in life.

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