Football great Diego Maradona's neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque has confirmed that the Argentine is in recovery after undergoing successful brain surgery for a subdural hematoma on Tuesday.

Maradona was admitted to the hospital on Monday after feeling unwell for several days. Last week, in a public appearance, the football legend needed help for even walking, and while he was admitted for anemia, dehydration and depression, an MRI scan revealed a subdural hematoma. The surgery took place on Tuesday, and his doctor said he 'tolerated the procedure very well'.

"I was able to evacuate the hematoma successfully and Diego tolerated the surgery very well," Leopoldo Luque, Maradona's neurosurgeon and personal physician, told reporters outside the Olivos clinic in Buenos Aires province where dozens of fans were gathered.

"Diego is under control. He has a small drain [to remove fluid] that we are planning to take out tomorrow. His stay at the hospital will depend on his evolution. But the start of his recovery was great. The way he reacted after the surgery is promising," Luque added, saying the procedure had taken around 80 minutes.

The 60-year-old was admitted to the Ipensa clinic in La Plata, Argentina, and around 50 fans gathered in front of the clinic to celebrate the good health of the footballer, carrying banners which said: "Come on, Diego". 

“What we want the most is for Diego to get out of all this. He can be, he is the greatest, the greatest in the world,” said Diego Bermudez, 41, a Maradona fan waiting outside the hospital.

Another fan, Oscar Medina, said: “Diego is fighting inside with medics. Hopefully, god blesses the medics, to move on from this. His people are out here on the street, hearts beating.”

Maradona celebrated his 60th birthday on Friday and joined his Gimnasia squad briefly at the club's training ground, but was helped by his assistants after staying only 30 minutes.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Alejandro Pagni