Five years have passed since the world bid farewell to Diego Armando Maradona, one of football’s most iconic geniuses. His death on 25 November 2020 shook not only Argentina but the entire sporting world, triggering global mourning. Yet, the tragedy also opened a chapter filled with controversy, secrecy and unanswered questions—most notably concerning his heart, an organ that remains, to this day, under strict police custody.
Maradona was laid to rest without several of his vital organs. As part of the post-mortem investigation, his heart, liver, kidneys and other tissues were removed to establish the precise cause of death. Among these, the most significant—and the most controversial—was his heart. According to reports published by Diario AS, Maradona’s heart currently lies preserved in formalin inside a highly secured facility belonging to the Buenos Aires Provincial Police’s pathology department.
What makes the heart so extraordinary is not merely its owner’s legendary stature, but its size and condition. Weighing an astonishing 503 grams, Maradona’s heart was almost twice the size of a normal human heart. Medical examiners found multiple signs of micro-infarctions, indicating repeated episodes during which blood flow to the heart had been severely restricted. Experts later explained that years of physical strain, lifestyle irregularities, and long-term health complications may have contributed to the organ’s enlarged state.
However, the mystery deepens when examining why the heart was never returned to the family, nor buried with the rest of his body. Judicial documents from Argentina revealed a disturbing detail: certain extremist groups intended to steal Maradona’s heart as a trophy. Authorities received credible intelligence suggesting that his most symbolic organ could become the target of a macabre scheme. To prevent such an incident, investigators classified the heart as evidence and ensured it remained in a controlled, high-security environment.
Under the current preservation protocol, Maradona’s heart must remain in police custody for a minimum of ten years. Once this period ends, the final decision regarding its fate will involve the family, the courts and relevant medical institutions. Options may include returning the organ for burial beside his body, placing it in a museum, or keeping it preserved for future scientific studies.
Maradona’s resting place is located at Jardín Bella Vista Cemetery in Buenos Aires, where he lies next to his parents. Thousands of fans visit his grave each year, some unaware that a vital part of their idol isn’t with him. His heart—a symbol of his passion, struggle and genius—remains locked away, guarded as though it were a national treasure or a vital piece of forensic evidence.
The story of Maradona’s heart mirrors his life: dramatic, intense, and surrounded by myth. Even in death, he continues to captivate the world, leaving behind mysteries that only time may unravel. For now, his oversized, battle-worn heart rests not beneath the earth, but behind the cold steel doors of a police laboratory—perhaps the most unusual and symbolic chapter in the legend of Diego Maradona.