Barasat (West Bengal) : He may not have played the Diego vs Dada charity match, but the legendary Diego Maradona surely dazzled the 7000 odd fans that had gathered at the Aditya School of Sports (ASOS) arena in Kadambagachi, in Barasat. Attending a short workshop with young aspiring footballers, the icon showed glimpses of his famous dribbling skills and the soft deft touches of his magical left-foot, leaving the crowd mesmerized.
The residential academy had just been completed a couple of months ago, but not a seat could be found empty, as people gathered in numbers to watch the Argentine maestro roll the ball right before their eyes. “I’m a huge, huge fan of his, I have seen him win the World Cup in 1986. It was a treat to see him from close quarters,” said Bengal’s own Sourav Ganguly. The CAB president who was expected play against Maradona’s team but ended playing for both the sides.
“It would have been great to have played with him but he could not play. Age has caught up with him but he’s too good a player,” added the former Indian captain later.
The 35km ride away from the city drained him out, but Maradona made no complaints and instead asked the children to line up in two queues before making them shoot the ball from a distance. “Lift your head up while shooting,” he shouted at one in Spanish, while the others happily followed his instructions.
He may be 57 now, but the sight of the ball at his left foot still brought back memories of the 1986 World Cup. The crowd kept chanting his name throughout and he, in ecstasy shot a few balls into the crowd.
Drenched after the lengthy workshop and photo sessions, he could however not play the match and left for the dugout immediately after starting the proceedings. Nonetheless, he came out minutes later humming a few Spanish songs.
“I’m here for football. It is a big step, that we take with the minister – to uplift football in India,” said Maradona, standing alongside renowned sports historian and journalist Boria Majumdar and MLA Sujit Bose, both of whom played influential roles in bringing the ‘God of football’ to the ‘City of Joy’, for the second time in eight years.
“India really has good players and a football school of boys. Your minister and I must stop this notion that football wants India and India wants football. Together with the minister and the people we will bring football. I have always been very well received in India. Thanks and kisses!” he signed off.
Reported by Gourav Rai