Diego Maradona was shocked by how his World Cup health scare on Tuesday was reported, insisting: "I am very much alive."
The 57-year-old, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, said he had been suffering from neck pain as he attended his country's game against Nigeria earlier this week.
But he denied reports he had been hospitalised and demonstrated his good health with an appearance on local TV.
"I was shocked that (reports suggested) there had been a stretcher, an ambulance. Nothing happened," he said.
"It makes me a bit angry, because my sister, yesterday she made me whistle on the phone to see if I was okay.
"'What else do you want me to do?' I asked her.
"I am very much alive, and very well taken care of."
Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1 to progress to the last 16 of the World Cup, where they will face France on Saturday.
Maradona was criticised for his conduct at the match, as he made obscene gestures following Marcos Rojo's late winner.
Diego Maradona celebrates a goal in Argentina's win over Nigeria in the World Cup. Source: SBS
