Emiliano Martinez, the numerous different of Argentina’s third FIFA World Cup triumph, landed in Kolkata on Monday because the football-mad metropolis continued its tryst with the celebs of the spectator sport. The metropolis that has hosted the likes of Pele, Maradona, Messi and Cafu will for the primary time play host to a reigning World Cup winner whose heroics within the penalty shootout towards France final December earned Argentina its first world title in 36 years.

VIDEO | Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martnez arrives at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. “I am really excited, feeling great. It was a dream (coming to India). I had promised to come to India, I am happy to be here,” says… pic.twitter.com/ivmqHCNrsX

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 3, 2023

Amid tight safety preparations, the Golden Glove winner of the 2022 World Cup checked into his five-star lodge on EM Bypass. A bunch of occasions are lined up for Martinez over the subsequent two days.

He was accorded a heat reception by Mohun Bagan officers on the airport the place lots of of Argentina followers waved the Albiceleste colors.

“I’m feeling great. It’s a lovely country. I’m delighted to be here. I’m really excited. I promised I’m gonna come to India so I’m here. It’s a place I always wanted to come,” Martinez stated at first of his two-day go to.

The 30-year-old Martinez will spend the morning in his lodge.

His engagements within the metropolis will start with a programme titled ‘Tahader Katha’ within the afternoon the place he would work together with about 500 college youngsters at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan.

Then, he’ll head to Mohun Bagan floor the place he’s slated to felicitate 10 Bengal goalkeepers, together with Bhaskar Ganguly and Hemanta Dora.

An exhibition match will likely be held between Mohun Bagan All Stars and Kolkata Police All Stars within the night.

On Wednesday, the concluding day of his journey, Martinez will head to Sreebhumi Club in Lake Town the place he will likely be a part of the ‘Paanch e Paanch’ programme.

He will award the winners of the programme moreover participating in a soccer clinic for the children at Santosh Mitra Square.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper flew into the City of Joy from Dhaka the place he met the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Terming it an “extraordinary” journey, Martinez wrote on his Instagram: “The people here, with their love, care, and unrivaled hospitality, have truly melted my heart. I eagerly anticipate my return to this beautiful country in the near future.” Martinez offered Hasina with an autographed Albiceleste jersey and he was additionally seen getting photographed and accepting a bajpakhi (hawk).

“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister’s Office, the police, the airport authority, and countless others whose names I might not know but whose efforts were no less significant. You have all played a part in crafting this special bond that I now share with Bangladesh.

“So, till my subsequent go to, I bid you farewell, leaving a bit of my coronary heart right here. I’m ceaselessly charmed by Bangladesh baazpakhi,” Martinez said.

Martinez’s visit adds to the city’s date with football legends.

Famous World Cupper of then USSR, Lev Yashin visited the city twice — once with the Soviet team who toured India in 1955 and as a chief guest during the IFA Shield final in 1973.

then, figured on the world football map when Brazilian great Pele along with fellow World Cupper Carlos Alberto visited with New York Cosmos for an exhibition tie against Mohun Bagan in 1977, which generated huge interest among the city crowd.

German and Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn bid farewell to competitive football by playing an exhibition match against Mohun Bagan in the summer of 2008.

Gerd Muller, Karl Heinze Rumminiege and Diego Forlan had also graced the city.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)