体坛英语新闻：Maradona dismisses Alzheimer's rumors

BUENOS AIRES, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Argentina football great Diego Maradona posted a video on social media on Thursday to deny reports that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

The 58-year-old's comments came a day after his lawyer, Matias Morla, also responded to speculation that his client is suffering the degenerative illness.

"They lie, they lie. They talk about Alzheimer's and they don't even know what the word Alzheimer's means," Maradona said in the video published on his Instagram account.

"People who have Alzheimer's die, I'm not dying," the 1986 World Cup winner said, adding that some journalists were intent on "causing confusion".

Maradona, who this month ended an 11-month spell as head coach of Mexican second division side Dorados, has suffered a series of health issues since ending his playing career in 1997.

In 2004, he was hospitalized with severe heart and respiratory problems related to a long battle with drug addiction. He has also undergone two gastric bypass operations to control his weight and received treatment for alcohol abuse.

In January, the former Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli forward had surgery to stem bleeding in his stomach.

According to Argentine press reports, Maradona is set to undergo shoulder and knee operations in the coming weeks.