Kolkata: Mohun Bagan fans celebrated 40th birthday of their heartthrob Jose Ramirez Barreto in a remarkable fashion at Baguiati-Joramandir today. During his period in the Green and Maroon Brigade, the legendary footballer helped the Kolkata giant to win the National Football League twice.
The birthday boy came to the grand occasion almost after an hour due to delay. His flight left from Mumbai with an hour late and after reaching the City of Joy he took a bit more time to reach Baguiati. Renowned footballers like Sandip Nandi, Shilton Paul, Habibur Rehman and Subhasish Roy Chowdhury were also present there to celebrate the birthday of Mohun Bagan’s ‘Green Parrot’.
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In front of a huge crowd Barreto celebrated his birthday by cutting the cake and distributed it to the fellow footballers. Shilton left the occasion just after wishing the football maestro as he has a match to play for Mohun Bagan against Tollygunge Agragami today in Calcutta Football League 2017. Today is also the birthday of legendary Bengali actor Late Uttam Kumar. Barreto showed his respect to the Picasso of Bengali film industry by applying garlands on the frame of Uttam Kumar. After almost 2 years the Bagan legend celebrated his birthday in Kolkata. The fans took a lot of selfies with Barreto, few fans gave him flower bucket and they also prayed for his good health.
Barreto is all set to start a clinic in Kolkata. Though it was scheduled to open on his 40th birthday today but he has changed the date of opening and according to the legend he would start the clinic with a grand ceremony.
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While talking to www.xtratime.in correspondent Gopal Roy, Barreto shared his busy schedule for the day. After his birthday celebration at Baguiati he went to his clinic from there. Later he visited the jersey unveiling ceremony of Dada vs Diego match. He will also go to the Mohun Bagan ground to watch the match between the Green and Maroon Brigade and Tollygunge Agragami. The officials have arranged a giant screen just outside the ground for the fans too. This is a revolutionary decision which have been taken by the Bagan officials. Barreto will cut another birthday cake there and will spend time with the fans.
“It’s my birthday today and coincidentally its Mohun Bagan’s match day too. I will go there and enjoy the holiday with everyone and watch the match. I am in spending my birthday in Kolkata after a gap of two years so I am very happy for that reason too. Though I am a bit busy as I have to attend a lot of programs but still I want to enjoy this day to my fullest. I will return to Mumbai tomorrow,” said Barreto.
The Salt Lake Stadium will host the final of FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, where the football maestro played a lot of matches wearing the Green and Maroon Jersey. On being asked about whether it will change the whole scenario of Indian football, Barreto Said,” You always have to start from a point, but according to me it’s a process, if the team start doing well from this point of time, the Indian football would get huge benefit from this. I will support both India and Brazil in this tournament.”
Regarding his clinic the ‘Green Parrot’ added,” It’s not just my clinic, I am starting this clinic for the footballers. If they get benefited from this, I will be the happiest person in the world.”
On being asked about whether he will play in Dada vs Diego match, he replied,” Yes I will take part in the game. I went to unveil the official jersey of the match too earlier today and I just want to say that I will be playing for the weak side among the two teams.”
The Bagan legend also feels that both the Kolkata giants will take part in Indian Super League from next season.