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I saw death up close: Maradona

Buenos Aires: Diego Maradona said he feared for his life during his 12-day hospital stay for heart and lung problems, making his first public comments after leaving intensive care.

The 43-year-old football great at times rambled in slurred speech during a one-hour interview with Argentine talk show host Susana Gimenez and offered thanks to his fans for their support during his ordeal.

``I want to thank the people who prayed for me,'' he said. ``I saw death up close and I wanted them to cover me, to caress me.''

His eyes welling with tears, Maradona added: ``When God decides its time, I guess he'll come for us.''

Maradona spoke hours after his father, who is also named Diego, was hospitalised. The elder Maradona checked into the Institute Sacre Coeur in downtown Buenos Aires with a respiratory infection, said a hospital spokesman, on condition of anonymity.

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