Emiliano Martinez on the Mohun Bagan floor for the inauguration of the Kolkata Police Friendship Cup
| Picture Credit score: DEBASISH BHADURI
Kolkata’s passionate soccer followers welcomed Emiliano Martinez, the World Cup successful goalkeeper of Argentina, who got here calling at Mohun Bagan, the oldest soccer membership of the continent. Some 5,000 odd members and ardent followers gathered to witness their favorite ‘Dibu’ who had helped Argentina carry the World Cup for the third time slightly over six months in the past in Qatar.
Martinez was visibly elated on the overwhelming reception, spreading his arms in acknowledgement earlier than saying “I really like you Kolkata.”
Reflecting the boldness and the self-belief that noticed him cease France from defending its title on the Lusail Stadium, Martinez mentioned that, “we’ve got a bunch of tigers within the workforce and are going to win it once more”.
His assurance got here within the type of a repartee when he was requested by the presenter about the opportunity of enjoying with out (Lionel) Messi within the subsequent World Cup. There was a thunderous applause as Martinez sensed the heartbeat of the group, greater than half of which was draped in Argentina jerseys with ‘Messi 10’ written on the again.
Bagan, which has beforehand hosted soccer luminaries like Pele and Diego Maradona, offered the membership colors to Martinez. The towering goalkeeper accepted the providing with a smile and instantly placed on the green-and-maroon jersey earlier than taking a tour across the floor because the stadium stuffed up with chants of ‘Dibu, Dibu’.
The star goalkeeper reciprocated the passion of his hosts regardless of being put to a grueling schedule by means of the day. The Argentine additionally needed to be rescued by the police as soon as after his automobile was mobbed by keen supporters leading to harm to the car, after a perform organised in one other a part of town. He selected to return to his lodge in a police jeep.
