‘Maradona died like a dog, I hope it doesn’t happen to Messi’ – Batistuta

Sport ‘Maradona died like a dog, I hope it doesn’t happen to Messi’ – Batistuta Published on March 27, 2026 By Don Silas googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1500386953281-8'); }); Former Argentina striker, Gabriel Batistuta, has claimed that the late football icon, Diego Maradona died like a dog. Batistuta insisted that Maradona’s family used him to become wealthy, adding that he hope it doesn’t happen to Argentina captain Lionel Messi. He stated this in a recent interview with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1524595905268-5'); }); According to him, Maradona’s family made a mistake as they failed to keep track of him when growing up as a teenager. “His problem was that Maradona was already famous when he was six years old. His family wasn’t wealthy and they saw in him a way to escape from that situation,” Batistuta said. “And I don’t blame anybody. Nobody said no to him when he was young. Everything was okay. That was a big mistake. “It’s a shame because he was a great person, and he died alone. Nobody was with him. He died like a dog. We didn’t do much for him. And that is something that I don’t like to think about, because I blame myself too, because I was one of his supporters. “I hope it doesn’t happen to Messi. Because when they are there [at the top], you don’t see that they have problems. You think they are okay. They have everything. They don’t cry.” Maradona died due to a cardiac arrest at his home in November 2020. Don't Miss 2026 World Cup: Pablo Zabaleta names five teams that can win trophy You may like Messi needs help – Gomez tells Inter Miami’s owner UCL: Robert Lewandowski overtakes Messi, Ronaldo’s record after scoring two goals for Barcelona EPL: He glides past people like Messi – John Terry hails Arsenal star UCL: Lamine Yamal outshines Messi, Ronaldo’s record LaLiga clears air on authorizing Messi’s return to Barcelona LaLiga: Why Messi will never return to Barcelona – Xavi

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/27/maradona-died-like-a-dog-i-hope-it-doesnt-happen-to-messi-batistuta/