Argentine footballing legend Diego Armando Maradona passed away on Wednesday. Regarded by many as the greatest player in the sports industry, the man who won led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup breathed his last amid a massive heart attack in his native land.
Years before sports fans in India started worshipping Sachin Tendulkar as God -- several found their God in another five-foot-five, curly-haired frame from the game of football. It was not for nothing that his fans in India reacted with shock and sadness after his heart stopped beating on November 25.
December 6, 2008, was the date. Nearly 50,000 people were present at Kolkata airport to see a glimpse Argentine legend. He was in India to inaugurate a private football academy. An exhibition match was also scheduled at the Salt Lake Stadium.
As soon as he landed in the city where football is more than a game, he was shocked to witness a sea of crowd in the country like India. Maradona attended an exhibition match at the Salt Lake Stadium. All eyes, including those of the VIP's, present were on Maradona. However, his eyes were glued to the game. Who would rather do that apart from the legend himself! The 1986 WC winner made his way to the centre of the field and was delighted to find the footballs there.
Four years later, Maradona returned to India but this time, landing in one more football-frenzy state-Kerala. Maradona who was in God's own country celebrated his 52nd birthday in advance there along with dancing, trading headers with Indian legend IM Vijayan and kicking balls into the large crowd. One word to describe the moment: Emotional! Maradona was in Kerala to inaugurate a jewellery shop.
It seemed, Maradona's love for India was growing. The Argentine visited Kolkata in December 2017 this time for 'Diego versus Dada' exhibition match. He, however, did not play in the charity football match because of an injury to his right hand. Maradona, however, went to meet school children in the city.
He spent time with kids, who were all seen donning the famous No 10 jerseys. Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, one of the biggest fans of Diego, expressed how it was a 'treat' to watch the legend from close quarters.
The man who scored 34 goals for Argentina was a fierce and smart competitor, who was undaunted, despite his opponents trying otherwise! Above all, he was ingeniously skilful. Rightly said, supermen may have feet of clay, but they are supermen for a reason, because they make life less ordinary. Maradona definitely did so.
During his visit in 2008, Maradona said, "I didn't know people loved football so much in India". If only you had more time to find out, legend.
Hasta Siempre Diego! (This means that we are never going to forget the person who receives this phrase)
