As a matter of fact, only a handful of fans and scores of mediamen had turned up at the airport to witness the legends arrival but as soon as the news trickled in about 100-odd visitors, who were there to receive their relatives, gathered soon to catch a glimpse of the Black Pearl whose Emirates EK 0570 flight via Dubai landed at 8.07am. As the legend’s high-security band made its access the people, an over-enthusiastic Mohun Bagan supporter, waving the club’s green-and-maroon pennant, tried before bring in Pele’s interest, perhaps working to remember him of a given happening find who had stopped in a 2-2… A lengthy 38 years on, the Black Pearl is set to wow the city once again. The main program will be taking place at Netaji Indoor Stadium in the evening where he will meet the players of the Mohun Bagan side that had played against Cosmos in 1977 at the Eden Gardens.
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Expressing delight over Pele’s visit to India, former Indian footballer Anadi Barua has said that the presence of the Brazilian legend will be a great source of motivation for the young Indian footballers. Pele will interact with 1,200 students. The walking stick slipped out of his grasp as he lost his footing but Dipendu was quick to react and helped him regain balance.
Goswami later revealed a brief conversation with the three-time World Cup victor. Later replying to query of journalists, Goswami said that Pele is not able to play football now as he’s not fit. Pele politely declined, saying “Not really”.
“If Donald Bradman is god of cricket and Jesse Owens is god of athletics, then Pele is surely the god of football”, Bhowmick added.
I also asked him how do you rate Messi? “His answer was a short and simple one: “He’s close to Pele and Maradona”, Goswami told mediapersons at the hotel.
While the five-star hotel was not available for a reaction, it is learnt that Pele may also have his favourite staple – rice and beans.
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On the last day of his tour, the 74-year-old will be the guest of honour ISL defending champions Atletico de Kolkata’s first home outing against Kerala Blasters at the Salt Lake Stadium.The Brazilian will also be part of an auction dinner the proceeds for which would go to the Chief Minister Relief Fund. With the biggest festival of the state, Durga Puja, set to begin with Mahalaya on Monday, the Brazilian is also likely to inaugurate a couple of pandals in the city.
