Maradona needs time, family support to recover: Doctor

BUENOS AIRES, Nov 11 (AP): Diego Maradona's psychologist Diego Díaz says the Argentine soccer hero is in a stable condition in a private health clinic where he is recovering from surgery.

Maradona last week had an operation for a subdural hematoma, which is an accumulation of blood between a membrane and his brain.

His personal doctor, neurologist Leopoldo Luque, said the problem likely was caused by an accident, but the 60-year-old Maradona said he didn't remember the event.

Díaz, who is taking care of Maradona during his time at the Olivos private clinic, on Tuesday said the 1986 World Cup champion needs doctors, therapy and "fundamentally family support."

He said Maradona's status as a national sporting hero in Argentina didn't preclude him from experiencing the same health issues as other people.

"Diego Maradona, in certain issues, is just like everyone else ... with the same limitations, difficulties and advantages that any human being has," Díaz told The Associated Press in an interview. "The important thing today is that he is stabilized, that he is controlled in terms of pharmacological management, the levels of food and rest.