Xtra Time Web Desk: FIFA World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez found himself overwhelmed with awe as he laid eyes on the statue of the legendary Diego Maradona in Lake Town, Kolkata. Maradona, who tragically passed away on November 25, 2020, continues to be revered as a demi-god in Argentina. To pay his respects to the football icon, Emiliano placed a beautiful bouquet of flowers near Maradona’s left foot during an event organized by West Bengal Fire Minister Sujit Bose at his club, Shreebhumi Sporting.
Since his arrival in Kolkata on Monday, July 3, Emiliano has been greeted with an incredible frenzy of fans eager to catch a glimpse of him. The atmosphere was no different at Shreebhumi Sporting Club, where he was informed that it was the same location where Maradona himself inaugurated his own statue amidst great fanfare.
Emiliano’s visit to Kolkata has been eventful thus far, including appearances on the talk show ‘Tahader Katha’ in Milan Mela and the opening ceremony of the Kolkata Police Friendship Cup at the Mohun Bagan ground. His schedule also includes traveling to Rishra for another event, followed by a grand dinner at JW Mariott. However, Emiliano is set to fly back to London tonight.
The images captured during Emiliano’s visit to Shreebhumi Sporting Club provide a glimpse of the special moment where he paid tribute to Maradona, adding to the memories of his time in Kolkata.