‘Do Not End Up Like Elvis’; Diego Maradona Warned Not To Die Young After World Cup Antics

Diego Maradona has been warned by a former fellow international: “Don’t end up like Elvis.” Maradona – considered by many as history’s greatest footballer – had danced, gurned, giggled, wept, cursed and even nodded off during his beloved Argentina’s dramatic passage to the World Cup knock-out phase.

Fifa ambassador Maradona – who revealed he binged on wine at the game – topped off his shambolic evening on Tuesday by flipping a two-handed bird from his executive box.

With social media users speculating whether he had lapsed back into his chronic cocaine habit, at one stage he appeared to slump in his seat and was treated by medical staff at the stadium.

It led worried ex Middlesbrough, Swindon and Sheffield United striker Jan Åge Fjørtoft to plead with him not to end up dying prematurely like Elvis Presley.

The former Norwegian international, 51, tweeted: “Dear Maradona! For my generation you are the King of Football! Like Elvis was the King of Rock’n’Roll. Please don’t end up like Elvis!”

Never lacking ego, he then unfurled a banner of himself and when Lionel Messi fired Argentina in front, Maradona celebrated by gripping himself and staring manically towards the heavens.

Later he appeared to fall asleep as the game progressed – labelled a Hand of Nod moment by one Twitter user.

Then when Marcos Rojo scored the winner, Maradona’s crazed response was to flip a double-handed middle finger and scream an obscenity.

All from a man said to pocket £10,000 plus expenses for any event he attends in his capacity as a Fifa ambassador.