It was a rollercoaster night for Argentina and nobody seemed to ride the gamut of emotions more than Diego Maradona.
Every time something dramatic happened on the pitch during Argentina’s World Cup-saving 2-1 win over Nigeria, the cameras sought out the reaction of the legend sat in the hospitality seats at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Before the match, Maradona was spotted dancing with a woman before unfurling an ornate banner of himself, to the delight of the Argentine fans sat below him who scrambled for selfies and video clips.
Diego Maradona suffered a health scare after riding the rollercoaster of emotions during Argentina’s dramatic victory over Nigeria at the World Cup on Tuesday night
Video emerged shortly after the match of Maradona having to be helped inside his hospitality box at the Saint Petersburg Stadium after he reportedly binged on white wine
Diego Maradona swore at supporters following Marcos Rojo’s winning goal that guided Argentina through to the World Cup knockout stages
At one stage it all seemed too much for Maradona as he appeared to fall asleep in his seat
The 57-year-old seemed startled as he opened his eyes just before the end of the first half
Maradona puffs on a cigar in a non-smoking stadium during Argentina’s match with Iceland
When Lionel Messi fired Argentina in front, Maradona celebrated as though the goal was an act of God. Yet at another point in the thrilling Group D finale, the hero of the 1986 World Cup appeared to be asleep.
He was distinctly more animated when Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo fired home the goal that set up a last-16 meeting with France, raising his middle finger to fans in an obscene gesture.
Shortly after the final whistle, alarming footage circulated on Twitter showing Maradona carried back into his VIP box as staff scrambled to get him a drink.
Soon macabre reports were circulating that Maradona had suffered a fatal heart attack, forcing him to quash the rumours on social media.
Admitting he had binged on white wine before the match and at half-time, Maradona eventually released a 3am statement on his Instagram account claiming he was suffering neck pain.
Maradona was pictured looking in far better health on Twitter as he boarded a flight to Moscow
The former Napoli striker was seen thanking God after Lionel Messi’s opener after 14 minutes
Maradona looked to the heavens and crossed his arms in celebration during the first half
Maradona posted this picture of himself during the Argentina vs Nigeria game on Instagram
Doctors wanted him to go to hospital at half-time, but Maradona refused to go. ‘How could I leave? I wanted to stay because we were risking it all.’
Later, he was pictured looking in far better health by Patricia Villegas, president of Latin American broadcaster teleSUR, aboard his private jet back to Moscow.
Thus went the latest saga in Maradona’s whirlwind World Cup tour of Russia.
Officially he is there as part of as part of the legends concept conceived by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Each of the nations at the tournament has a legend or two present at their games in an ambassadorial role, though Maradona’s hospitality package is considerably more gilded than others.
As reported by Sportsmail last week, Maradona is being paid £10,000 a day when on FIFA duty in Russia, in addition to the costs of his travel, accommodation and expenses.
The 1986 World Cup winner was surrounded by supporters as he displayed a flag of himself
Maradona certainly seemed to enjoy the attention that he was getting from the fans
The Argentina legend took time to interact with supporters before the action got underway
Argentina supporters gather round as Maradona soaks up the praise at St Petersburg Stadium
Saluting the crowd, he had to be held by one of his friends as he stood on the ledge of his box
Part of Argentina’s 1986 World Cup winning side, the icon scored 34 goals for his country
For Argentina matches, Maradona gets the best seat in the house with his circle of friends and, it would seem, complete liberty to do whatever he likes.
During Argentina’s opening draw with Iceland, he was pictured puffing on a cigar in a non-smoking stadium in Moscow.
And during their 3-0 loss to Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod, he assumed the role of chief cheerleader for the Argentine fans, twirling a t-shirt around his head and leading chants with exuberent arm gestures.
Only the team’s ineptitude could quell his enthusiasm. That and pulling his eyes to the side in a clearly racist gesture to a group of Korean fans who’d shouted ‘Diego’ in his direction.
In a response to the accusations, Maradona wrote: ‘I saw an Asian boy wearing an Argentina t-shirt. I, from afar, tried to tell them how nice it seemed to me that even the Asians cheer for us. And that’s all guys, come on.’
His Instagram account during the tournament has been a collection of graphics telling the World Cup scores and videos filmed by his entourage of him whipping up the crowd inside stadiums.
Another video of Maradona at the Argentina v Nigeria game showed him looking unwell
After swaying for a few seconds, Maradona then gives a woozy grin and thumbs up to camera
Maradona was also whipping up the crowd during their match with Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod
Maradona played the role of chief Argentine cheerleader during their 3-0 loss to Croatia
Only the ineptitude of the team during their 3-0 loss dampened Maradona’s enthusiasm
The other obligation that is taking up his time is his television programme on Venezuela-based broadcaster teleSUR.
‘De la mano del Diez’ (‘By the Hand of No 10’) sees Maradona, usually dressed in the attire of sponsor Puma, and commentator Victor Hugo Morales discuss the latest World Cup action as well as the political issues around the tournament.
Maradona had a similar show on the television network during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and it enjoys a primetime slot across the whole of South and Latin America.
The show’s title is obviously a reference to Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England at the 1986 World Cup and does feature a catchy theme song performed by Latin American artists Lila Downs, Charo Bogarin and Maria Mutata.
Maradona has his own TV show on Latin American broadcasters teleSUR during the World Cup
The show is called ‘From the Hand of No 10’ – a reference to his 1986 goal against England
In the show, Maradona and host Victor Hugo Morales discuss the football and politics
On a glass table featuring a traditional Russian matryoshka doll, Maradona and Morales put the world to rights over the course of each 35-minute broadcast from Russia.
Maradona has been outspoken throughout, launching attacks on Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli and demanding to meet the players ahead of the Nigeria match. He was discouraged.
‘I’m furious and very upset inside, because anyone who has worn that shirt can’t see it being trampled like that by a Croatian team that isn’t Germany, that isn’t Brazil, that isn’t Holland or Spain,’ he said after the Croatia loss.
As yet, we haven’t seen a picture of Maradona and Russian president Vladimir Putin emerge, though it is probably only a matter of time if he stays for the rest of the tournament.
He may well have to rein in his erratic behaviour from here on in, however.