Diego Maradona needing help to leave the stands and move to an adjoining luxury box at the St. Petersburg stadium after watching Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1 in a tense group match to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup. Argentine great appeared to have his eyes closed and a later photo showed a pair of paramedics attending to him. There was no immediate information on his health. About two hours later, a photograph of Maradona smiling at the airport was posted online
Stadium staff said they were unaware of any incidents involving Maradona, and staff from the Argentina football federation told reporters they had no comment except to say the 1986 World Cup winner was not formally part of the delegation. Maradona seemed overcome with emotion, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. He led Argentina to World Cup success in 1986 and helped the side reach the final four years later. He had earlier celebrated Argentina’s late winner from Marcos Rojo by sticking up both of his middle fingers at the crowd.