BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Diego Maradona's doctor hopes the soccer great can be persuaded to transfer next week from a private hospital to a psychiatric clinic for treatment of an alcohol addiction he blamed for his hepatitis.
"Diego is becoming aware of the seriousness of his health situation," Doctor Alfredo Cahe told independent Radio Uno on Thursday.
Cahe said alcohol abuse led to the hepatitis condition that has forced his hospitalization at two different clinics in Buenos Aires since March 28.
Maradona's status was favorable on Thursday, the sixth day of his hospitalization at the Los Arcos Sanatorio.
In the radio interview, Cahe said he and Maradona were talking about further treatment at a local psychiatric clinic, the director of which was already helping in Maradona's treatment.
As for Maradona's response, Cahe told Radio Uno: "One can't convince him in just a day. He is very special."
He added Maradona had to yet to be fully informed about his health problems.
"He didn't have any idea where alcohol was taking him," Cahe said.
Maradona led Argentina to its second World Cup title in 1986, and was rated with Pele by FIFA as soccer's greatest players.
He has battled obesity and cocaine addiction since his 1997 retirement.
