Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport 

Diego Maradona’s ex-girlfriend has opened up on her “difficult” times after their son was “diagnosed with autism” and hinted the footballing icon is an absent father who has “to be there nor not”.

Maradona’s former partner Veronica Ojeda, 42, made the comments during an interview with Argentine television host Susana Gimenez for the popular talk-show ‘Susana Gimineza’ broadcast by Telefe based in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

Ojeda and Maradona have a six-year-old son named Diego Fernando Maradona but known simply as ‘Dieguito’ who Ojeda said “was diagnosed with autism” when he was three years old.

After Ojeda travelling to the United States to receive better treatment, she said: “I got an appointment for the following year. They did a lot of intense tests and studies on him over there.

“That is why I was coming and going all the time. He improved a lot.”

However, after some time, Ojeda said: “They did not diagnose him with autism over there. They told me he had a language disorder.

“He did treatments here and there. I spent a lot of time alone, it is very difficult. I have Argentine friends over there but the lifestyle is very different.

“I only had the support of my mother and father, my family.”

Ojeda went on to talk about Maradona’s role in the young boy’s life saying: “When I took him (Dieguito) to Mexico, being close to his father helped a lot.

“I have to say the good thing is, he (Maradona) pays for everything (the treatment) but that is not everything. You have to be there or not.

“At times, Dieguito has a family with cousins aunts and sisters, then, one day to the next, everyone disappears.

“It is not right. He is the youngest of the family. My doors are always opened.”

She spoke about the youngster’s personality, saying: “Diego (Maradona) has a very special character, and his son has the same character. I don’t regret those years I left work and dedicate myself fully to him.”

Dieguito was welcomed onto the show where Gimenez spoke with him about his friends and school and even about his favour club – River Plate, arch-rivals of Maradona’s former club Boca Juniors.

The six-year-old boy ended his brief interview saying “I miss you, Dad” and later, “I love you, Dad” after Ojeda mentioned they had not seen Maradona since their return to Buenos Aires, however the exact time is unclear.

Maradona and Ojeda ended their eight-year relationship in 2012 when she was three months pregnant with Dieguito.

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