A new trial seeking answers about the tragic death of football icon Diego Maradona is set to begin in Argentina this Tuesday. This follows the dramatic collapse of the initial proceedings last year due to a judicial scandal, reigniting a painful chapter for the global football community.

The legendary Argentine, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, died of heart failure in November 2020 at age 60 while recovering from brain surgery at a private residence. His passing, attributed to acute pulmonary edema, sent shockwaves through the sports world and brought hundreds of thousands of mourning Argentines into the streets despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the heart of the trial is the question of whether Maradona's medical team bears responsibility. Seven caregivers have been charged with negligent homicide, facing potential prison sentences of 8 to 25 years. Prosecutors allege the conditions of his convalescence in a Buenos Aires suburb were grossly negligent.

The defense, however, maintains that Maradona—a larger-than-life figure who battled well-documented addictions and health issues throughout his life—ultimately died of natural causes. The new trial is expected to hear from roughly 120 witnesses, including members of Maradona's family, who provided emotional testimony during the first attempt.

That initial trial was annulled in May 2025 after it was revealed one of the presiding judges breached judicial rules by participating in a documentary filmed inside the courthouse, leading to her impeachment. This legal reset prolongs the search for closure surrounding the death of the 1986 World Cup champion, whose magical performances on the pitch remain the stuff of sporting legend.