The Chilean former tennis player Marcelo Ríos performed in 2023 a revealing confession about Diego Armando Maradonain which he reported that he was contacted to try to help the Argentine idol months before his death.
The statements of “Chino” were given in the program We can talk of Chilevisión and once again gained relevance due to the delicate context that surrounded the last years of the world champion’s life in Mexico 1986.
On that occasion, Ríos recalled that he met Maradona personally on the program Long live Monday from Channel 13, where they shared and talked on more than one occasion. He even pointed out that they also met off-camera, in a chance meeting that reinforced that first bond.
“I would have loved to go, but…”
However, The most significant contact came some time later, when the former soccer player’s health was already critical.. According to the former world number one, it was the Argentine and also former tennis player David Nalbandian, very close to Maradona, who contacted him.
“They asked me to help him when he was very sick. David Nalbandian called me, who was a very good friend of his.”Ríos told PH, explaining that the intention was for him to share his experience with an alternative treatment.
El “Chino” explained that the request was for him to speak with Maradona about the use of an anti-alcohol pellet, a procedure he had undergone in the past. However, he was clear in rejecting the idea. “I told him no because the pellet is not to cure an illness. Everyone knew his addictions. I am not a doctor and the pellet was not going to save him, it was not going to be of any use”he explained frankly.
Despite his refusal, Ríos assured that the decision was understood by Nalbandian and he regretted not having been able to do more for the former Argentine star. “I would have loved to go, but Nalbandian understood the situation”closed the Chilean former tennis player, revealing the complexity of the moment and the real limitations that existed to help Maradona.
