Report: Diego Maradona seeks help from Italian doctor to combat weight gain, stress

Report: Maradona in Italy to combat weight gain

MERANO, Italy — Argentina coach Diego Maradona reportedly is in Italy to be treated for weight gain and stress following two straight losses by his team in World Cup qualifying.

ANSA said Tuesday the 48-year-old soccer great traveled to the Alpine town of Merano for treatment. Maradona underwent a stomach stapling operation in 2005 following extreme weight gain from alcohol and drug addictions.

Argentina lost to Brazil 3-1 and to Paraguay 1-0 and is in fifth place in its South American qualifying group leading to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Argentina has won six games and lost four since Maradona became coach in November 2008. Those losses include a 6-1 thrashing by Bolivia and a 2-0 defeat to Ecuador.

Maradona captained Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title. He was kicked out of the 1994 World Cup and banned for 15 months for failing a doping test for stimulants. He was near death on a respirator five years ago after a heart attack attributed to a cocaine overdose.