Maradona died alone, like a dog: Batistuta opens up with regret on Argentina legends final days - Diario AS thumbnail

“Among the most powerful and explosive goal scorers of his generation.” That is how former England defender Rio Ferdinand introduced Gabriel Batistuta in a social media post ahead of Batistuta’s appearance on Ferdinand’s podcast, “Rio Ferdinand Presents”.

The two former players sat down for an in-depth conversation that covered Batistuta’s career, his rise with Fiorentina, and his status as one of Serie A’s defining strikers of his era.

Batistuta on Diego Maradona: “He was a great person”

The Argentine icon also spoke at length about his relationship with Diego Maradona, with whom he shared the pitch for Argentina in 10 international matches.

Batistuta described Maradona as a complicated but deeply kind figure, saying he always tried to be honest with him, even though he was younger and still learning from him. He suggested that honesty may have earned Maradona’s respect.

Regret and reflection after Maradona’s death

Batistuta became visibly emotional when discussing Maradona’s death, expressing regret over how the football legend was treated in his final days.

“It’s a shame because he was a great person and he died alone. Nobody was with him. He died like a dog.

“I blame myself too because I was one of his supporters. If you like somebody, you need to help when they need it.”

“Superheroes, but still human”

After Ferdinand offered context about Maradona’s global legacy, Batistuta said the sadness comes from realizing how human these icons really are.

He reflected that Maradona gave football unforgettable moments and joy, and hoped nothing similar would ever happen to Lionel Messi.

Batistuta said elite players often appear untouchable from the outside, as if they have everything and feel no pain. In reality, he added, they are human beings who struggle just like anyone else, even if they do not show it publicly.

Messi vs. Maradona: “They are different”

When asked to compare Argentina’s two greatest modern icons, Batistuta said they should not be viewed in the same way.

He pointed to their contrasting careers and personalities, noting Messi’s statistical dominance and Maradona’s emotional, chaotic brilliance. In his view, Maradona remains the greatest overall because of what he was capable of doing on the pitch and how he influenced games in every possible way.

He described Lionel Messi as calm and consistent, while Maradona was far more unpredictable and expressive. Messi may match Maradona’s brilliance in terms of skill, he said, but does not carry the same raw charisma.

Batistuta’s dream five-a-side team

Closing the conversation, Batistuta described himself as a natural-born striker rather than a manufactured one.

He also named his ideal five-a-side team made up of former teammates and legends he played alongside, selecting Fernando Redondo, Cafu, Francesco Totti, Claudio Caniggia, and Maradona.