For this small town close to Kolkata, an I-League derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan was the ultimate football experience. Not any more.
Barasat was bowled over by Diego Maradona, as the legendary footballer charmed close to 7,000 people in the one-and-a-half hours he spent at the Aditya School of Sports (ASOS) campus here on Tuesday.
Donning grey shorts, a matching T-shirt and a pair of blue shoes, the Argentine waved to the crowd and went near the stands to the delight of his ardent admirers. Holding the mike, Maradona addressed the audience impromptu. “I am very happy to be here. I am here for football. So many footballs gives me the kick,” said Maradona.
The legend, who had triggered a wave of celebration during his last visit to Kolkata in 2008, shot footballs into the stands to drive the crowd crazy, the fans eager to grab a ball as a memento from the 1986 World Cup-winner. The chant of 'Diego, Diego' was befitting to the ambience.Sitting on the ground, Maradona spent time with around 60 school kids, who wore No. 10 jerseys, before conducting a football clinic for them in the warm weather. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the kids who learnt the nuances of shooting the ball into the goal. When Maradona himself showed how to do it, loud cheers greeted him.
After getting drenched in sweat following the half-an-hour long clinic, Maradona doffed his cap and bowed to the crowd. He also posed for photos with the students.
If that was not enough, Maradona sprang another surprise by taking up the mike again and belting out a Spanish song, with the Kochi-based singer Charles Anthony playing the guitar.
The 57-year-old performed the ceremonial kick-off for an exhibition match, featuring well-known cricketers, including former India captain Sourav Ganguly, and footballers, before winding up the day.
The spell, however, continued as the fans headed home reliving each of their Maradona moment.