Lionel Messi was not there, Emiliano Martinez was. However nonetheless, Messi dominated the discourse on a Tuesday afternoon that was reserved for Martinez, who was glad to play ball. As one in all Messi’s most trusted lieutenants throughout Argentina’s triumphant marketing campaign within the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Martinez did not thoughts the curiosity, the curiosity round his iconic teammate’s future within the sport, and determined to flow on the second day of his go to to the football-mad metropolis. Earlier, scenes of unbridled pleasure swept by means of the roads main as much as the Mohun Bagan tent, the place the star goalkeeper was engaged in a slew of actions, together with inaugurating the Pele-Maradona-Sobers gate and declaring open the Kolkata Police Friendship Cup in entrance of packed stands.

‘Dibu’, as he’s fondly referred to as, was overwhelmed by the welcome he obtained from 1000’s of followers sporting the Albiceleste colors and Messi’s No. 10 jersey.

“To see so many individuals cheering for you, and Argentina is a pleasure,” he mentioned.

With cheers of ‘Messi, Messi’ reverberating throughout the stands, the 30-year-old Martinez made a promise to deliver Messi to Kolkata once more, and to play soccer in Argentina colors.

“This isn’t the tip, I hope to come back again to India to play with Argentina and Messi,” he mentioned, producing the loudest cheers.

“Now after I come to locations like this, I realise the significance of profitable the World Cup. Making individuals comfortable.

“I mentioned I might come to Kolkata to see the tradition, the attractive Kolkata metropolis. I am actually proud to be right here in the present day,” he mentioned.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Glove winner thanked Messi for making him a “higher goalkeeper”.

Requested if he has ever stopped a Messi penalty, he mentioned: “Sure, I’ve, in observe matches.” “We used to observe lots earlier than the World Cup. We needed to be prepared for the penalty shootout. So there isn’t a higher strategy to put together for it than stopping Messi.

“That is how I grew to become a greater goalkeeper. By denying a Messi penalty I knew I might cease anybody.” “It is a psychological recreation… I observe lots. And earlier than the World Cup remaining too, we practiced loads of penalty shootouts, understanding that one thing like this may occasionally come into play.” The Aston Villa goalkeeper mentioned he aspires to win extra titles with Argentina.

“From a really younger age, I had a dream to develop into Argentina’s primary goalkeeper. I am not going to calm down now, I wish to develop into higher and win many, many tournaments for Argentina.” When the dialogue turned to Indian soccer, Martinez mentioned the hot button is to rent European coaches and develop the kids.

“The very first thing you might want to do is to deliver European coaches, deliver the perfect coaches who can educate the children and produce European type of soccer — how one can transfer on the pitch.

“I am additionally bringing European methods to Argentina goalkeepers to ensure they develop into higher from a really younger age.

“By doing that from a younger age, hopefully, India would play the World Cup.”

Messi is the best

Earlier within the day, he was felicitated by Mohun Bagan and East Bengal golf equipment on the sidelines of a chat present ‘Tahader Katha’ on the Milan Mela floor, the place he declared “Messi is the best”.

“Messi is the perfect ever participant and there might be no Messi sooner or later. It is arduous to match him. He is the best participant.

“We needed to win the World Cup for him and we did it.” Messi had made it clear that the World Cup in Qatar was his final and he had no plans to don the Argentina jersey in 2026.

“No worries,” mentioned Martinez, including that they’re a group of “tigers” and they’d rise to the problem once more.

“I tackle challenges with all my coronary heart and keenness. We’ve got acquired a bunch of tigers within the group and we’re able to battle,” he mentioned.

Sea of white and blue

The Maidan was a sea of white and blue with Argentina followers sporting the jersey and heading to the Mohun Bagan floor.

The posters of Martinez kissing his Golden Glove and the glittering FIFA World Cup Trophy dotted the Gostha Pal Sarani main as much as Mohun Bagan tent.

Such was the craze outdoors the Mohun Bagan gate that not an inch of area was left vacant.

Followers had been seen standing on the perimeters of an open drain, or precariously standing on the cliffs of the stadium gallery, to catch a glimpse of Martinez.

The Argentine icon arrived an hour late and first inaugurated the Pele-Maradona-Sobers gate by chopping the customary ribbon.

He headed straight to the Mohun Bagan tent workplace the place the membership officers took him on a tour of the power. It was adopted by a customary photo-op with the membership members outdoors the membership garden.

The membership additionally handpicked just a few faculty youngsters who had their “goals fulfilled”.

“It was a dream come true for us. We’re an enormous fan of his goalkeeping and took selfies and autographs,” mentioned Prachet Singh Chauhan, who was accompanied by Akshat Gupta, Aravan Bajpayee and Karan Chawla.

Later, he headed to the bottom and waved the Indian flag in a novel gesture. He then boarded an open car, took a spherical of the bottom, and kicked footballs to the followers within the galleries.

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