Diego Maradona: Argentina legend undergoes successful surgery for bleeding on brain

Diego Maradona is recovering in hospital after undergoing successful brain surgery, his doctor has said.

The Argentina legend, widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers in the history of the sport, was hospitalised on Monday with anaemia and dehydration.

The operation took place at a private facility, the Ipensa Hospital in La Plata, less than a week after his 60th birthday.

Leopoldo Luque, Maradona’s personal physician, said his operation had been a success and he had ‘coped well with the surgery’.

He will remain under observation until he makes a full recovery.

Luque said the legendary footballer was diagnosed with a subdural haematoma – an accumulation of blood between a membrane and his brain.

This is likely to have been caused by an accident, although Maradona has no recollection of such an incident.

Maradona celebrated his landmark 60th birthday last Friday and was pictured at his side’s league match against Patronato.

However, he did not stay to watch the game after being presented a plaque and cake for his birthday, and a video appeared to show Maradona struggling to walk and looking unwell.