Diego Maradona leaves hospital after brain surgery and sparks chaotic scenes - in pictures

Convoy of supporters follows Argentine legend's ambulance in Buenos Aires

The ambulance carrying Diego Maradona is surrounded by well wishers as he leaves hospital. Getty

Diego Maradona shakes hands with his doctor Leopoldo Luque in Olivos, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, just before leaving the clinic. AFP/Diego Maradona press office

The ambulance carrying Diego Maradona drives out of the Clinica Olivos in Vicente Lopez. Getty

An ambulance carrying Diego Maradona, leaves the clinic where he underwent brain surgery for a blood clot in Olivos, Buenos Aires province. AFP

Maradona's personal physician Leopoldo Luque leaves the clinic where Maradona underwent brain surgery. AFP

Private security personnel cover the ambulance transporting Diego Maradona as he leaves the clinic. AFP

Twin sisters Mara and Dona Rotundo, named after Diego Maradona, embrace outside the clinic. Reuters

Fans visit the Olivos Clinic. EPA

A banner of support is seen outside the private clinic. AFP

Dalma Maradona, daughter of Argentine former football star and coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata Diego Maradona, arrives at the private clinic. AFP

Posters supporting Diego Armando Maradona in front of the Olivos clinic. EPA

Leopoldo Luque, Maradona's neurosurgeon, gives a press conference outside the clinic. AFP

Veronica Ojeda, ex-wife of former Maradona, arrives at the clinic. AFP

Matias Morla, Maradona's lawyer, speaks to the press outside the clinic. Reuters

Matias Morla, lawyer Diego Maradona, speaks to the press. Reuters

Personal physician of Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona, Dr Leopoldo Luque, speaks to the media. Reuters

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona left hospital on Wednesday followed by a mass of supporters, eight days after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot on his brain.

Maradona did not speak to the crowd of media and chanting fans gathered outside in masks as he left the Olivos clinic in Buenos Aires by ambulance shortly after his doctor Leopoldo Luque announced he could go home.

A convoy of Maradona's fans followed the ambulance after dozens had waited outside the clinic for days, holding photos of him and chanting their encouragement.

One banner read "Eternally Thanks."

Luque had earlier published on Instagram a photo of himself hugging the 60-year-old, who wore a bandage on his head.

Maradona is expected to continue his rehabilitation in Tigre, 30km north of Buenos Aires, near his daughter Giannina's home.

"Diego has gone through perhaps the hardest time of his life," his lawyer Matias Morla said earlier, adding it was a "miracle" that the clot "which could have taken his life, was detected."

"What is needed now is family togetherness and being surrounded by health professionals," said Morla. "With the doctors and his family, Diego will be as he should be: happy."

The World Cup-winning former Argentine captain underwent surgery last week to remove a clot lodged between his brain and skull.

He had looked unwell during a brief appearance on October 30 to mark his 60th birthday at the stadium of Gimnasia y Esgrima, the Argentine Primera Division team he coaches.

He seemed to have difficulty walking and did not stay to watch his team's game.

The following Monday, he was taken to hospital in La Plata, where the club is based, suffering from symptoms of anaemia and dehydration.

Tests revealed the blood clot, after which Maradona was transferred to a specialist clinic in the capital.

Maradona has been admitted to hospital three times in the last 20 years for serious health issues - two of which were potentially fatal - due to his drug and alcohol addictions.

Maradona's daughters Dalma, Giannina and Jana have visited him daily at the clinic.

His oldest son, Diego Jr, who lives in Italy, announced last Thursday on social media that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and therefore would not be able to travel to Buenos Aires.

Due to Maradona's age and previous health issues, he is considered high risk in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit Argentina hard.

Several times in the last eight months he has been in isolation and was forced to stay at home recently after a bodyguard showed coronavirus symptoms, although he later tested negative.