The football world, including fans of Serie A clubs like Parma, continues to grapple with the legacy of Diego Maradona. In a significant development from the trial concerning his death, psychologist Carlos Diaz, 34, testified in an Argentine court on April 30, stating that the legendary player suffered from bipolar disorder and narcissism, requiring a strict zero-alcohol treatment plan. Diaz is one of seven defendants facing charges of manslaughter with reckless intent.

According to reports from Argentine media outlets El Clarin and La Nacion Argentina, Diaz detailed his initial encounter with Maradona on October 26, 2020, just 29 days before the football icon's passing. Diaz recounted seeing Maradona drinking wine on a couch, an image that personally resonated with him due to his own father's struggle with alcoholism.

Diaz, who is charged with prescribing the wrong medication, told the court in Buenos Aires that he believed Maradona genuinely desired to change his lifestyle. Consequently, he tailored a treatment plan focused on complete abstinence from alcohol for the former Argentine captain and national coach.

"There was bipolar disorder and narcissism," El Clarin cited Diaz as saying. He added a poignant observation: "He could bring a country to its knees, but one glass of alcohol could bring him to his knees." This statement underscored the profound impact of Maradona's personal struggles despite his immense public stature.

Further testimony from Diaz indicated that the toxicology report revealed Maradona's life ended after a period of 23 days without drug use. This detail provides a crucial timeline regarding the star's final days and his efforts towards sobriety, as presented by the defense.

Diego Maradona's illustrious career saw him win numerous trophies with clubs such as Boca Juniors, Barcelona, and Napoli, and famously captain Argentina to a World Cup victory. The ongoing trial in Argentina sheds new light on the complex personal challenges faced by one of football's greatest figures, a story followed closely by football enthusiasts globally, from Naples to Parma.