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DIEGO MARADONA’S last words before he died were: “I don’t feel well.”

The football legend passed away on Wednesday from a heart attack.

⚠️ Read our Diego Maradona death live blog for the latest news & updates

Diego Maradona's final words before his death are said to be 'I don't feel well'
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Diego Maradona's final words before his death are said to be 'I don't feel well'Credit: AFP or licensors
Maradona's coffin arrives at Argentina's presidential palace as he will lie in state of three days alongside three days of mourning in Argentina
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Maradona's coffin arrives at Argentina's presidential palace as he will lie in state of three days alongside three days of mourning in ArgentinaCredit: REUTERS
Fans surround the hearse carrying the coffin of Diego Maradona as it arrives to a funeral parlor in Buenos Aires
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Fans surround the hearse carrying the coffin of Diego Maradona as it arrives to a funeral parlor in Buenos AiresCredit: AP:Associated Press
Cultural icon Maradona's death has triggered an outpouring of national grief in Argentina
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Cultural icon Maradona's death has triggered an outpouring of national grief in Argentina Credit: AP:Associated Press

It can now be revealed Maradona, 60, ate breakfast before telling nephew Johnny Esposito he didn’t feel well and was going to lie down again.

A nurse who was looking after Maradona, following his release from hospital after his brain scan op, phoned for an ambulance and several responded.

But it was already too late and the retired footballer was dead by the time help arrived.

His body will now lie in state of three days as Argentina goes into 72 hours of national mourning over his death.

The last hours of the former Napoli and Barcelona star’s shockingly short life were played out in Argentine media as an autopsy expected to show he had died from a massive heart attack.

One described how he had awoken in the morning looking pale and complaining of feeling cold.



He went back to bed after a quick breakfast where he is said to have pronounced his last words: ‘Me siento mal’ - English for ‘I don’t feel well.’

Emergency responders made an unsuccessful attempt to revive him after they arrived at the rented house in the gated community he had moved to after leaving hospital on November 11.

State prosecutors, who have launched a routine inquiry into Maradona’s death, said it had occurred around midday.

The preliminary autopsy has found Maradona died in his sleep after suffering heart failure which caused a pulmonary edema.

Medics are also said to have detected dilated cardiomyopathy, a medical condition in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and enlarged and cannot pump enough blood to the rest of the body.

Pulmonary edema, fluid accumulation in the lung’s tissue and air spaces, are caused by heart problems in most cases.

A fan of  Maradona cries as she gathers with other fans to pay homage on the day of his death 
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A fan of Maradona cries as she gathers with other fans to pay homage on the day of his death Credit: AFP or licensors
Fans held a vigil for Maradona outside the stadium of Argentinos Juniors soccer club - where the legend started his career
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Fans held a vigil for Maradona outside the stadium of Argentinos Juniors soccer club - where the legend started his career Credit: AP:Associated Press
People gather outside the Casa Rosada presidential palace ahead of the wake for Maradona
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People gather outside the Casa Rosada presidential palace ahead of the wake for Maradona Credit: Reuters

Maradona’s psychologist Carlos Diaz and a psychiatrist named as Agustina Cosachov arrived at the home in the exclusive gated estate where he had been resting since being discharged from hospital.

“They went to his bedroom on a ground floor and spoke to him and he didn’t reply and they asked his nephew and an assistant to enter the room,” according to the report leaked to Argentinian media.

The reports added: “They tried to wake him up and after failing to detect any vital signs made an unsuccessful attempt to revive him by practising CPR.

”The first emergency medical responders on the scene continued the attempts to revive Maradona along with a surgeon who lives near the property, using adrenaline and atropine which is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of low heart rate."

Diego Maradona was a towering figure in football as fans mourn in front of a mural by artist Jorit, in Naples
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Diego Maradona was a towering figure in football as fans mourn in front of a mural by artist Jorit, in NaplesCredit: Reuters
Maradona's life on the pitch inspired dedication from fans like few have ever seen as one shows off his tattoo
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Maradona's life on the pitch inspired dedication from fans like few have ever seen as one shows off his tattoo Credit: AP:Associated Press
A man weeps outside outside San Paolo stadium in Naples after the death of Napoli legend Maradona
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A man weeps outside outside San Paolo stadium in Naples after the death of Napoli legend Maradona Credit: Reuters

His former doctor Alfredo Cahe has also criticised the football legend’s care in the run-up to his death.

Dr Cahe - who worked with Maradona for 30 years - questioned the decision to move the soccer legend from hospital on November 11.

He told Argentinian news show Telefe Noticias: "Diego wasn’t looked after as he should have been.

“He should have been kept in hospital, not taken to a house which wasn’t properly prepared.

“I’m in a state of complete commotion. I’ve had so many ups and downs with Diego for 33 years and he’s just died in an unusual way."

Maradona's death has triggered three days of national mourning in Argentina
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Maradona's death has triggered three days of national mourning in ArgentinaCredit: Reuters
Fans across the world have flocked to pay tribute to Maradona after his death
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Fans across the world have flocked to pay tribute to Maradona after his deathCredit: AP:Associated Press

Prosecution chief John Broyad, speaking outside San Andres as the retired footballer’s body was taken to a nearby morgue for an autopsy, said: “Diego Armando Maradona died around 12pm local time.

“The forensic police began their work at 4pm. No signs of any criminality or violence have been detected.

“The autopsy is being carried out to determine beyond any doubt the cause of death but we can say at this stage that everything is pointing to natural causes.”

Maradona’s wake will take place at the Argentinian equivalent of the White House.

It had been rumoured the Casa Rosada, the seat of the country’s national government which houses the president’s office and translates as the Pink House, would be used.

Argentine president Alberto Fernandez has announced three days of national morning
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Argentine president Alberto Fernandez has announced three days of national morning

President Alberto Fernandez has already announced three days of national mourning.

Maradona, who only turned 60 on October 30, spelled out while he was still alive the message he wanted engraved on his tombstone.

The legend made the astonishing admission in a bizarre TV interview 15 years ago in which he quizzed himself.

The famous former footballer being interviewed for the show Diego presented at the time called La Noche del 10 said 'getting old with his grandchildren would mean a peaceful death' for him.

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Maradona said: “Thanks for having played football because it’s the sport that gave me most happiness and freedom and it’s like having touched the sky with my hand.

"Thanks to the ball. Yes, I would put on the tombstone...‘Thanks to the ball.'”

Diego Maradona fans all around the world pay their respects to a football icon
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