Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona is said to be responding to treatment after collapsing with acute heart failure.
The 43-year-old, who has a history of drug abuse, was taken ill hours after watching his former team Boca Juniors play a league match.
He was rushed taken to the private Suizo Argentina clinic in Buenos Aires where he was attached to a machine to help him breath.
His personal physician Dr Alfredo Cahe said he was still critical but his condition was stable and improving.
He denied reports on Argentine TV channel Todo Noticias Maradona had become ill after taking a drug overdose.
"He has a lung infection because of a chill.
He is quite stable and (his progress) is relatively good," he said.
Family members and friends went to the hospital to be at his bedside.
Maradona has a history of health problems dating back to his playing days.
His cocaine addiction led to heart complications in 2000 and has left him a shadow of his former self.
He is best known in Britain for the infamous "Hand of God" goal during England's World Cup quarter-final against Argentina on June 22, 1986.
He went on to lead Argentina to victory in the competition and helped them reach the 1990 World Cup final in Italy, which they lost.
The 43-year-old, who has a history of drug abuse, was taken ill hours after watching his former team Boca Juniors play a league match.
He was rushed taken to the private Suizo Argentina clinic in Buenos Aires where he was attached to a machine to help him breath.
His personal physician Dr Alfredo Cahe said he was still critical but his condition was stable and improving.
He denied reports on Argentine TV channel Todo Noticias Maradona had become ill after taking a drug overdose.
"He has a lung infection because of a chill.
He is quite stable and (his progress) is relatively good," he said.
Family members and friends went to the hospital to be at his bedside.
Maradona has a history of health problems dating back to his playing days.
His cocaine addiction led to heart complications in 2000 and has left him a shadow of his former self.
He is best known in Britain for the infamous "Hand of God" goal during England's World Cup quarter-final against Argentina on June 22, 1986.
He went on to lead Argentina to victory in the competition and helped them reach the 1990 World Cup final in Italy, which they lost.