Buenos Aires: Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who came close to death with heart and lung problems last month, was hospitalised once more today (May 5, 2004), Argentine television reported.

The 43-year-old 1986 World Cup winning captain was readmitted to the Suizo-Argentina hospital in Buenos Aires where he was treated from April 18 to 29, at 06:30 hours local time (15:00 hours IST).

The reasons for this second visit have not been officially given though press reports said Maradona was suffering from breathing problems.

His personal doctor Alfredo Cahe told Radio Continental that he will be in hospital for two or three days, saying he needed a health check-up before leaving for Cuba. Cahe added Maradona was very tired due to his excess weight.

Maradona, who arrived at hospital by ambulance, was taken to intensive care. Hospital staff quickly installed barriers in front of the hospital entrance to keep press and onlookers at bay.